McIlroy soars to top of leaderboard after Dubai Invitational first round

DUBAI The World Number Two made a rapid start with seven birdies and a bogey after ten holes to send a daunting message to the rest of the field as he led by three shots at six under par

- 

Rory Mcllroy declared his opening round of 66 as a “nice way to start the year” as he held a one-shot lead at the 2026 Dubai Invitational.

The World Number Two made a rapid start with seven birdies and a bogey after ten holes to send a daunting message to the rest of the field as he led by three shots at six under par.

His momentum stalled as he carded a dropped shot and seven pars to close his first round of the year in 66 and take the clubhouse lead at five under.

Matt Wallace rolled in four straight birdies around the turn to surge ahead at seven under, but two dropped shots and a double bogey saw him slip down the leaderboard.

Scotland's Connor Syme and Spaniard David Puig were Mcllroy's closest rivals at four under.

"It was good. I got off to a great start, played a very good first nine," Mcllroy said.

"Then the wind got up a little bit and felt like that front nine, which was our second nine, was the trickier one.