Scot-born Conor Syme has kick-started his 10th season in the pro ranks with an eye-catching display on what was a sombre day on day one of the Dubai Invitational in the UAE.
Syme, 31, birdied five of his inward nine holes in a four-under 67 to be sharing second place on four-under-par on the host Dubai Creek course.
Grand Slam winning Rory McIlroy, sporting new clubs and a new ball, shot straight to the front thanks to seven birdies in his five-under 66, and in the event he finished runner-up when last staged in 2024.
Though it was not a day for excitement with the DP World Tour conducting a minute’s silence purposely at 1.35pm local time in honour of 17-year-old Emanuele Galeppini who so tragically, and so unnecessarily lost his life, along with 39 others on January 1st in the devastating Cran Montana nightclub blaze.
It was as 1.35am (Swiss time) when the deadly fire was first observed.
SCOT SHINES ON A SOMBRE #DPWT SEASON-OPENING DAY …
With @connor_syme @modestsport & reigning @KLMOpen champ tied after super 67 on what was a sombre day #DubaiInvitational @DubaiCreekGolf
Read: https://t.co/47AKdCnzY4
DPWT
✅ @TOURMISS (Bernie @Record_Sport ) pic.twitter.com/hKH7yhpNZm
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 15, 2026
The super-talented young Italian was based in Dubai with his family and was all set to commence this year as captain of the Under-17 side at this week’s host Dubai Creek club.
Syme was among those who halted play, and with head bowed, in honour of the teenager. (See image above)
Syme had finished just inside the top-40 in the event two year ago but there was clearly a bigger spring in his step than normal, and after the events of seven months ago, when he ended a 182-winless run with victory in the KLM Open.
The Fifer capped his first round of the year holing a seven-yard chip shot for a birdie ‘3’ at the 17th ahead of a sinking a testing five-footer for par at the last.
Syme said: “Yeah, very, very pleased with that. I played very, very solid today.
“I made a nice putt for par there on the last putt. Didn’t really make many putts, to be honest with you.
“I really had my ball under control, so hopefully I can keep that up over the next few days”.
The reigning KLM Open champ is contesting his 196th Tour event and couldn’t be happier, coming off the Festive Season break, with a first 18 holes under his belt.
Syme said: “I think I just want to make a lot of things happen, because obviously I was looking forward to some time off, and then you’re working on stuff, and then obviously anxious to get back going.
“But there’s excitement just to be back playing.
“And then obviously there’s probably no better place to be at the moment than out here in Dubai. So very happy, and looking forward to a good stretch of tournaments.
“As well, it’s obviously always a very similar, like, format to the Dunhill back in Scotland, but just about 25 degrees warmer.
“So, it definitely makes it easier in the warm rather than the cold”.
Calum Hill posted a 71 while Grant Forrest was off to a flyer with four birdies in his opening five holes horribly undid his superb opening round work with a closing triple bogey also in a 71.
And Dubai-based Ewen Ferguson was just outside the leading 30 in the now reduced 59-player field, with a one-over 72.
