DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy is taking part in the Dubai Invitational as a favor to a good friend and to get in some early-year follow in nice climate circumstances.
The way in which he has began, McIlroy may find yourself taking dwelling the trophy.
The No. 2-ranked Northern Irishman made 9 birdies in a bogey-free, 9-under 62 to take a two-shot lead after the primary spherical of the European tour occasion Thursday.
“Shocked myself slightly bit,” McIlroy mentioned, “however hopefully extra of the identical over the subsequent few days.”
Yannik Paul (64) was alone in second place at Dubai Creek Resort, with Thriston Lawrence (65) an additional stroke again and Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen tied for fourth place after 66s.
McIlroy sees the Dubai occasion — a match in a relaxed setting, with no reduce and a 60-man subject — as a mild option to ease into 2024. He actually checked out dwelling again in Dubai, the place he as soon as lived and a spot he typically visits early within the yr to fine-tune his recreation.
Within the crew a part of the occasion, he partnered with Abdullah Al Naboodah, a non-executive director on the European tour who helped arrange the Dubai Invitational and is somebody McIlroy counts as good friend.
Beginning at No. 10, McIlroy made six birdies in eight holes across the flip throughout a spell the place he made six straight 3s.
He took the lead outright at 8 below with a birdie from 5 ft at No. 7 then made one other at his final gap after an incredible strategy from the tough to the best of the green to inside 8 ft.
“I did not count on that,” McIlroy mentioned after tying the bottom first spherical of his profession on the European tour. “It did not really feel fairly nearly as good as that the primary couple of days after I was right here and hitting balls and taking part in the course.
“But it surely was good to get a card within the hand once more and kind of really feel the aggressive juices flowing.”
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