Rory McIlroy started his 2024 season in superb fashion by shooting a bogey-free 62 to set the tone at the start of the inaugural Dubai Invitational.
World number two McIlroy made nine birdies to lead on nine under, two ahead of Germany’s Yannik Paul.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood finished with a birdie to post a bogey-free 6-under 66.
Nicolai Hojgaard, McIlroy and Fleetwood’s Ryder Cup teammate in Europe, is five points behind after a 67.
Starting on the 10th hole at Dubai Creek Resort, McIlroy notched two birdies in his first six holes before making five of six from the 17th to the fourth.
The four-time major winner closed out his round with more birdies at the seventh and ninth.
Speaking to Sky Sports after his round, McIlroy said “I surprised myself a bit” with the way he played.
“These pro-ams, I’m usually playing with my dad or this week with the tournament host, so there’s maybe a little extra pressure,” McIlroy said, smiling.
“But it’s an easy week to get back to work and it’s a good week to do some extra training so I feel ready, not just for next week, which is obviously a bigger event. [the Dubai Desert Classic]but before most of the season.
The Dubai Invitational consists of 60 professionals and 60 amateurs. The 72-hole individual stroke tournament is played concurrently with a 54-hole pro-am team event, which runs Thursday through Saturday.
There is no cut in the 72-hole professional event.
McIlroy, playing for the first time since November, will remain in the Middle East next week to defend his title at the Dubai Desert Classic.