DP World Tour : Dubai Invitational Leaderboard
Rory McIlroy is off to a fast start to his DP World Tour 2026 season posting a 31,35 -5 66 early this morning at this version of the Dubai Invitational, to hold the clubhouse lead with the late wave currently on course.
Players commented that the Dubai Creek Resort course was "easy, or quite gettable" as long as you keep it in the fairways.
Rory McIlroy 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 -6
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 -5.
Matt Wallace rolled in four straight birdies around the turn to surge ahead at -7, but two dropped shots and a double bogey saw him slip down the leaderboard.
Scotland's Connor Syme 67 and Spaniard David Puig 67 were McIlroy's closest rivals at -4
"It was good. I got off to a great start, played a very good first nine," McIlroy said.
"Then the wind got up a little bit and felt like that front nine, which was our second nine, was the trickier one.
"I made a silly bogey on three and then didn't capitalise on the par-five after that.
"So I felt like I left a few out on that side, but I played a really good nine holes of golf. Overall, a nice way to start the year."
Wallace endured a roller coaster card of an eagle, six birdies, three dropped shots and a double bogey to finish to sit in a T5 at -3, Lindell double bogeyed the last in his 68, while French pair Guerrier and Antoine Rozner and Spaniard Angel Ayora were also at -3.
There was a minute's silence held at 1.30pm local time for the 40 victims of the Crans-Montana fire during New Year celebrations, which included rising Italian talent Emanuele Galeppini, who was about to start his tenure as Junior Captain at Dubai Creek Resort.
Black ribbons were worn by players, caddies and DP World Tour staff as a mark of respect.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus
Bryan Angus..
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