Scotsman Connor Syme and Spaniard David Puig were tied behind the Northern Irishman in second place, and English golfer Matt Wallace dropped two shots back into a five-way tie for third after late struggles.
Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was three back in a tie for ninth in a large group including American Patrick Reed. He is among three players on the LIV Golf squad a year ago playing in Dubai.
McIlroy made a fast start with four birdies in the first five holes on the par-71 course at Dubai Creek Resort on Thursday. He had seven birdies.
he said: "I got off to a great start, played a very good first nine. Then the wind got up a little bit and it felt like that front nine, which was our second nine, was the trickier one.
"I made a silly bogey on three and then didn't capitalise on the par five after that. I felt like I left a few out on that side (but) overall a nice way to start the year."
Syme, who had five birdies and a bogey., said: "I really had my ball under control, so hopefully I can keep that up.
"There's probably no better place to be at the moment than out here in Dubai. It's obviously a very similar format to the Dunhill back in Scotland, but just about 25 degrees warmer."
Wallace started his round with a bogey then made a neat chip from the edge of the green for an eagle on the fourth hole.Â
He made five birdies before his momentum was halted by a bogey on No.12. He lost his way and the lead after a double bogey on No.16 and a bogey on the 18th.
Fleetwood recovered from a double bogey and a bogey on the front nine by finishing his opening round with two birdies.
The tournament is held every other year. Two years ago, Fleetwood benefited from two huge errors on the back nine from McIlroy to win the tournament following a back-and-forth final-round duel.
Next week sees the Dubai Desert Classic, which McIlroy has won four times. He has also won the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai three times.
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