Rory McIlroy leads Dubai Invitational after day one
World number two McIlroy is the highest ranked player in the field for this week’s Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek. McIlroy loves playing golf in Dubai as he has won five Race to Dubai titles, two DP World Tour Championship victories and three Dubai Desert Classic wins. The Northern Irishman played his first round of 2024 with 2023 BMW PGA Championship winner Ryan Fox. “It was a really comfortable group”, said McIlroy. McIlroy started Dubai Creek on the back nine and made his first birdie of the round at the 11th hole after an incredible bunker shot. McIlroy played a sensational shot from a downslope at the 15th hole and rolled in a birdie putt to reach two under.
McIlroy played two remarkable wedge shots at both the 17th and 18th to finish his front nine with two birdies in a row. McIlroy played his front nine in four under and was tied for the lead. McIlroy was unsuccessful in taking advantage of two par fives on his front nine. The Northern Irishman hit an average wedge shot at the first hole which was McIlroy’s 10th hole but held an amazing 20 foot putt for birdie. The third hole at Dubai Creek is a 336 yard par four and McIlroy made his sixth birdie in 12 holes after achieving an up and down for birdie.
“I think I did a good job today of managing my misses and missing on the right side, said McIlroy. McIlroy’s chip at the par five fourth came up short but managed to hole his birdie putt to reach seven under. The seventh hole at Dubai Creek is a 492 yard par four but McIlroy made short work of this hole with a big drive and a great approach shot. McIlroy made his eight birdie of the round at the seventh hole. McIlroy’s putting is underrated and has improved over the last few years especially since he started working with Brad Faxon.
McIlroy’s final hole was the ninth and he rolled in another birdie putt to shoot an opening round of 62. “Yeah, surprised myself a little bit but hopefully more of the same over the next few days”, said McIlroy. McIlroy has a two shot lead at the top of the leaderboard and his nearest challenger is Yannik Paul on seven under. 2024 is a big season for McIlroy with defending next week’s Dubai Desert Classic and the upcoming majors which starts in April. “I feel a bit more ready not just for next week, which is obviously a bigger event, but also going into the bulk of the season, said McIlroy.
It's a fantastic start for McIlroy but it will be interesting to see if he can continue to make birdies over the weekend. Tommy Fleetwood is on five under and it would be fantastic if it was between McIlroy and the Englishman on Sunday. Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is also competing at Dubai Creek and shot an opening round of even par. Day two, three and four action from Dubai Invitational will be live on Sky Sports Golf.