Major championships

South African Thriston Lawrence: Teeing up for the first time since winning the Race to Dubai Trophy in Dubai November, Rory McIlroy produced a bogey-free 9-under 62 to take the lead at the inaugural Dubai Invitational tournament at the Desert Creek Resort.

McIlroy, seeking a sixth career win in Dubai, had nine birdies and Germany's Yannik Paul by two. South African Thriston Lawrence was third at six under and three behind.

Multiple DP World Tour winners and Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen shot 66 each and were then four shots off the lead.