Dubai Invitational, round one
-5 McIlroy (NI); -4 Syme (Sco), Puig (Spa); -3 Lindell (Fin), Wallace (Eng), Guerrier (Fra), Ayora (Spa), Rozner (Fra); -2 Larrazabal (Spa), Lopez-Chacarra (Spa)
Selected others: -2 Lowry (Ire), Fleetwood (Eng), Reed (US); -1 Willett (Eng); +1 Harrington (Ire); +3 McKibbin (NI)
Rory McIlroy says a desire to take on “challenging things” can fuel further success in 2026 as he made a strong start to his season at the Dubai Invitational.
The world number two completed a career Grand Slam with victory at the Masters last April. He later helped Europe win the Ryder Cup in New York, while he also triumphed at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Players Championship and Irish Open.
In his first competitive outing of the year, McIlroy carded an opening five-under 66 to take the first-round lead at Dubai Creek Resort.
Despite becoming just the sixth golfer to complete a career sweep of men’s majors, motivation remains high for McIlroy.
“I like the work and like the process,” McIlroy told Sky Sports.
“I enjoy doing challenging things and I think if you can make that the important part and make it routine, you don’t need motivation to do it. It’s your lifestyle and what you do.
“I guess it’s who you identify as and I identify as a hard worker and someone who likes to do those things.
“The more you do that, the more it becomes who you are. I’ve done it for so long now that if I didn’t do it, it would feel pretty foreign.”
Opening on the back nine, Northern Ireland’s McIlroy – who is using a new golf ball and irons – made four birdies and a bogey in his first five holes.
A further three birdies left him in the lead on six under, but a bogey on the third – his 12th hole – dropped him back a shot before he closed with six pars.
“I didn’t capitalise on the second nine, which was the trickier one,” said McIlroy.
“I made a silly bogey on three and didn’t capitalise on the par five after that, so I felt I left a few out on that side, but I played a really good nine holes of golf going out and overall a nice way to start the year.”
Scotland’s Connor Syme and Spain’s David Puig carded 67s to sit one shot off McIlroy.
England’s Matt Wallace seemed to be on course for the overnight lead when he reached seven under, but he dropped four shots across his final seven holes to drop back.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood birdied his last two holes to sit at two under, alongside fellow Englishman Marcus Armitage and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.
