Rory McIlroy's 2026 started in impressive form as the Masters champion raced out of the blocks at the season-opening Dubai Invitational, carding a 66 to give him a one-shot lead.
The Holywood golfer enjoyed an incredible 2025, completing the career grand slam, winning the Players, the Irish Open and a Ryder Cup on US soil, and he showed no signs of sluggishness as he reached the turn at Dubai Creek in a five-under 31.
Starting on the 10th, McIlroy birdied four of his first five holes, breaking the run with a bogey at the par-four 12th. He added further birdies at 17, 18 and the first as he coasted around a course that proved tricky for most in breezy conditions.
Things slowed for the 36-year-old after that, carding seven pars and a single bogey at the par-four third, his 12th.
His 66 was good enough for the overall lead after round one, with Scotland's Conor Syme and David Puig of Spain a shot further back in second.
"It was good. I got off to great start. I had a very good first nine. Then the wind got up a litle bit. I had a silly bogey on three and didn't capitalise on the par five after that. Overall nice way to start the year," said the RTÉ Sport Sportsperson of the Year, who has a new ball and new irons in his bag.
McIlroy has switched from blade to cavity-back irons, the type used by the vast majority of amateur golfers as they are more forgiving, and was happy with the transition.
"If there is help to be had I'll definitely take it. I’ve been thinking about it for a while," he told Sky Sports.
"Even in Dubai (DP World Tour Championship) at the end of last year I hit a couple of five-irons I mis-struck slightly and instead of it coming up five or seven yards short it was coming up maybe 10 to 15 yards short so I asked the guys at TaylorMade to build me up a set.
"I’ve got a new golf ball in play this week but overall I’ve liked what I’ve seen at home and today was a good test for it and I felt everything was pretty good."
After a potentially career-defining 2025, McIlroy was asked what his motivation is to continue striving to succeed.
"I like the work. I like the process. I enjoy doing challenging things," he said.
"I think if you can make that the important part, make that routine, then you don't need motivation. It's your routine. I identify as a hard worker and as someone who likes to do those things."
McIlroy's friend and playing partner Shane Lowry also enjoyed a solid start to his season - shooting a two-under 69.
The Clara native (above, r) also started quick, with birdies at 10, 11 and 13. Unfortunately, like McIlroy, he carded a five at the 12th.
Further birdies followed at the first and third, his 10th and 12th holes, before back-to-back bogeys at six and seven took a little of the sheen off his round.
Still, the Offaly golfer was satisfied with his performance.
"I was all right, first round of the year Not sure what to expect. I had a bad finish. I hit the ball well. It's a tricky test," he told Sky Sports ahead of what is supposed to be a windy second round of the limited field event, which does not have a cut.
"It's going to be hard tomorrow. It's going to be grind it out and try and hit fairways."
Padraig Harrington shot a one-over 72, with Tom McKibbin on two over through 12.
Play was paused at 10.30am local time to remember young golfer Emanuele Galeppini, due to be junior captain at Dubai Creek this year, and the 39 other people who died in a fire in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Day.
