By Phil Casey, PA Golf Correspondent
Rory McIlroy exceeded his expectations as he started his 2024 season with a flawless opening 62 in the inaugural Dubai Invitational.
Competing for the first time since finishing a distant 22nd in the DP World Tour Championship, McIlroy looked anything but rusty as he recorded nine birdies at Dubai Creek Resort to open up a two-shot lead over Germany’s Yannik Paul.
Paul carded eight birdies and a solitary bogey in his 64, with South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence on six under and Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen another stroke back.
A bogey-free opening round 62 for @McIlroyRory ✍️#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/EcyiSZqU7x
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 11, 2024
McIlroy, who will defend his Dubai Desert Classic title next week, told Sky Sports: “I didn’t expect that.
“It didn’t feel quite as good as that the first couple of days when I was here hitting balls and playing the course but it was nice to get a card in the hand again and feel the competitive juices flowing.
“I surprised myself a little bit but hopefully more of the same over the next few days.
“When the wind gets up it can get a little bit tricky. We played the first 12 or 13 holes basically without any wind and then there was a little coming in.
The ninth and final birdie for @McIlroyRory 🤩
He leads by two in Dubai. #DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/5rManl7Zm1
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 11, 2024
“I think you just have to miss it in the right spots, there’s some water here and there and I think I did a good job today of managing my misses on the right side and when I did hit good shots I was available to take advantage of them.”
The tournament features a 72-hole strokeplay tournament played alongside a three-day pro-am team event, with Sunday featuring professionals only.
“These pro-ams I either play with my dad or this week I’m playing with the tournament host so there’s maybe added pressure there as well to go out and perform, but it’s a very easy way to get back into things,” McIlroy added.
“This is a nice week to do some extra practice and put some work in so that 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.”
