DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Rory McIlroy made a bright start to the new year as he fired a five-under par 66 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Invitational on Thursday.

The reigning Masters champion made seven birdies, edging to the top of the early leaderboard ahead of Spaniard David Puig and Scot Connor Syme.

McIlroy is targeting his eighth professional title in Dubai after four Dubai Desert Classic victories and three wins in the European Tour’s Tour Championship.

The Northern Irishman made six birdies on the back nine after starting on the 10th hole, before grinding his way to the clubhouse.

“It was good. I got off to a great start, played a very good first nine,” McIlroy said.

“And then the wind got up a little bit and felt like that front nine, which was our second nine, was the trickier one.”

McIlroy, who became only the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam with his Masters triumph last April, said he has been working hard in the close-season and changed his set of irons.

“I like the work. I like the process. I enjoy doing challenging things,” he added.

“I think the more and more you do that, the more it just sort of becomes who you are. And I’ve done it for so long now that if I didn’t do it, it would feel pretty foreign at this point.”

McIlroy’s 2025 Ryder Cup-winning teammates Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are three strokes back in a group at two-under, alongside former Masters winner Patrick Reed.