Rory McIlroy carded a five-under-par 66 to take the first-round lead at the Dubai Invitational, debuting new cavity-back irons and a different golf ball. The Northern Irishman, who switched from blade irons to the more forgiving cavity-back model, sits atop the leaderboard at Dubai Creek Resort.
McIlroy began his round on the 10th and reached the turn in 31, with seven birdies in a 10-hole stretch. His wedges were sharp, setting up approach shots inside 11 feet on five par-fours. However, he dropped shots with a missed short putt at the 12th and a failure to escape a greenside bunker on the third hole.
“If there is help to be had I’ll definitely take it. I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “Even at the DP World Tour Championship last year, I hit a couple of five-irons that mis-struck slightly and came up 10 or 15 yards short. I asked TaylorMade to build me a set. I’ve got a new golf ball in play this week. Overall, I’ve liked what I’ve seen.”
Play was paused to remember Emanuele Galeppini, the junior captain-elect of Dubai Creek who died in a fire in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Day, along with 39 others.
Scotland’s Connor Syme and Spain’s David Puig sit one shot behind McIlroy, while England’s Matt Wallace is in a group on three under after an eagle and six birdies in a nine-hole stretch, marred by late dropped shots.
