Scot Connor Syme and Spaniard David Puig were level behind the Northern Irishman in second place, and English golfer Matt Wallace dropped two shots back in a five-way tie for third after late struggles.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was three back in a shared ninth place in a large group that included the American Patrick Reed. He is one of three players from the LIV Golf team that played in Dubai a year ago.
When the European tour resumed after five events at the end of 2025, McIlroy made a fast start with four birdies in the first five holes on the par-71 course at Dubai Creek Resort.
“I got off to a great start, played a very good front nine. Then the wind picked up a little bit and it felt like that front nine, our second nine, was the toughest,” said McIlroy, who had seven birdies. “I made a crazy bogey on three and then couldn’t make the most of the par five. I felt like I left a few out on that side (but) overall a nice way to start the year.”
Syme had five birdies and a bogey.
“I really had control of my ball, so hopefully I can keep that going,” he said. “There’s probably no better place to be at the moment than here in Dubai. It’s obviously a similar format to the Dunhill in Scotland, but about 25 degrees warmer.”
Wallace started his round with a bogey and then made a nice chip from the edge of the green for an eagle on the fourth hole.
He made five birdies before his momentum was halted by a bogey at No. 12. He lost the road and the lead after a double bogey at No. 16 and a bogey at the 18th.
Fleetwood recovered from a double bogey and a bogey on the front nine by ending his opening round with two birdies.
The tournament is held every other year. Two years ago, Fleetwood took advantage of two huge mistakes on McIlroy’s back nine to win the tournament after a back-and-forth clash in the final round.
The Dubai Desert Classic, which McIlroy has won four times, takes place next week. He has also won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times.
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