McIlroy surprises himself with two-shot lead at Dubai Invitational
World No 2 cards 62 in a strong start to the 2024 season at the inaugural event
11 January 2024 - 16:51
byTrevor Stynes
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Rory McIlroy and his caddie, Harry Diamond. Picture: WARREN LITTLE/GETTY IMAGES
Dubai — Rory McIlroy carded a nine-under-par 62 to take a two-shot lead over Yannik Paul after the first round of the Dubai Invitational at the Dubai Creek Resort on Thursday.
It was a flawless opening round from the world No 2, who began on the back nine and hit four birdies in the first nine holes and followed up with five birdies to lay down an early marker.
“I didn’t expect that, it didn’t feel quite as good as that the first couple of days when I was here hitting balls and playing the course,” McIlroy said. “I surprised myself a little, but hopefully more of the same over the next few days.”
Germany’s Paul kept pace with McIlroy over the first nine holes, despite hitting a bogey at the fifth, but with the Northern Irishman scoring two birdies on the final three holes, Paul parred all three to finish on seven-under.
SA’s Thriston Lawrence is three shots off the lead with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark a further shot back on five-under.
The inaugural Dubai Invitational is the opening event of the 2024 DP World Tour and has a total prize fund of $2.5m.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
McIlroy surprises himself with two-shot lead at Dubai Invitational
World No 2 cards 62 in a strong start to the 2024 season at the inaugural event
Dubai — Rory McIlroy carded a nine-under-par 62 to take a two-shot lead over Yannik Paul after the first round of the Dubai Invitational at the Dubai Creek Resort on Thursday.
It was a flawless opening round from the world No 2, who began on the back nine and hit four birdies in the first nine holes and followed up with five birdies to lay down an early marker.
“I didn’t expect that, it didn’t feel quite as good as that the first couple of days when I was here hitting balls and playing the course,” McIlroy said. “I surprised myself a little, but hopefully more of the same over the next few days.”
Germany’s Paul kept pace with McIlroy over the first nine holes, despite hitting a bogey at the fifth, but with the Northern Irishman scoring two birdies on the final three holes, Paul parred all three to finish on seven-under.
SA’s Thriston Lawrence is three shots off the lead with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark a further shot back on five-under.
The inaugural Dubai Invitational is the opening event of the 2024 DP World Tour and has a total prize fund of $2.5m.
Reuters
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