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Rory McIlroy shot a five-under par 66 at the Dubai Invitational. Alamy Stock Photo
Golf
Rory McIlroy takes the early clubhouse lead with fast start at Dubai Invitational
McIlroy sets the early pace at five-under, while Shane Lowry opens with a round of two-under.
RORY MCILROY GOT his 2026 campaign off to a fast start as he raced into the early clubhouse lead on the opening day of the Dubai Invitational.
The world number two carded a first-round 66 to set the early mark at the Dubai Creek Resort on five-under par.
Shane Lowry, playing alongside McIlroy, opened with a two-under par 69.
McIlroy, who was runner-up in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2024, fired six birdies in his opening nine holes to make the turn on five-under par.
An 11-foot birdie at the first moved him to six-under before he was caught out of position off the tee on the par-four third and three-putted for bogey.
New year, new equipment, same old Rory 🎯
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026
The Grand Slam Champion leads the Dubai Invitational agter making four birdies in his first eight holes thanks to approach play like this 😍#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/iLlb2N9Zhy
Lowry also enjoyed a fast start and was four-under through his first 12 holes before back-to-back bogeys on six and seven saw him hand back some of that early momentum.
Reflecting afterwards, Lowry said: “I’m very fortunate that Rory’s a good friend. You see what he’s achieved. Obviously, I know, I’m not stupid enough to think I’m going to win a Grand Slam or anything, but I look at him and he’s a great person for me to reach towards.
"I'm very fortunate that Rory's a good friend. I'm not stupid enough to think I'm going to win a Grand Slam or anything, but I look at him and say he's a great person to reach for.
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2026
I always say if I can get close to him in every tournament, then I have a chance. I'm a firm… pic.twitter.com/d9kx2plolY
“I always say if I can get close to him in every tournament, and play well coming in, I can have a chance to win.
“I’m a firm believer that the people you surround yourself with, you become.”
Scotland’s Conor Syme and Spaniard David Puig are one shot off the lead after finishing their rounds four-under par.
See the latest leaderboard here >
Written by Declan Bogue and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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