Rory McIlroy opens '26 with 66 to lead in Dubai
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
(Photo credit: Brendan Mcdermid-Reuters via Imagn Images)
Rory McIlroy opened his 2026 season with a 5-under 66 on Thursday to grab a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Invitational.
The Northern Irishman carded seven birdies against a pair of bogeys at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and will enter Friday with a one-shot cushion over Scotland's Connor Syme and LIV Golf's David Puig from
