DUBAI INVITATIONAL

January 11, 2024

Rory McIlroy

Dubai Creek Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. Looks like there's no such thing as rust. You've taken a little bit of time out but a great opening round at 9-under. How was it out there?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I didn't expect that. It didn't feel quite as good as that the first couple of days when I was here and hitting balls and playing the course. But it was nice to get a card in the hand again and sort of feel the competitive juices flowing. It was a really comfortable group. I really like playing with Ryan and the two amateurs we had, ab dual /HRA and Greg I know very, very well. So it was a very comfortable sort of pairing and round of golf out there. Yeah, surprised myself a little bit but hopefully more of the same over the next few days.

Q. Speaking of which, it was a great day for the team in the office, wasn't it, Abdullah out there as well and yourself. Does that atmosphere help you feel a little more relaxed and?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think a little bit. All those Pro-Ams either play with my dad or this week I'm playing with the tournament host. So maybe added pressure there as well to go out and perform.

No, it is, it's a very easy way to sort of get back into things and this is a nice week to do some extra practise and put some work in so that, you know, I feel a bit more ready not just for next week, which is obviously a bigger event, but also going into the bulk of the season.

Q. And what did you make of the test out there? Obviously there has not been an awful lot of tournament golf played here at Dubai Creek?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I think when the wind gets up, it can get a little bit tricky when the wind start coming off the water. We played the first 12 or 13 holes basically without any wind and then there was a little wind.

I think around the creek you have to miss it in the right spots. There's some water here and there. I think a did a good job today of managing my misses and missing on the right side, and when I did make a hit shot, I managed to take advantage of it.

Q. Did you get that autograph off Roy Keane?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I'm sure if I asked him again, he would oblige but we had a good laugh about it, I had a good time with the boys.