The Masters champ and tournament host both came to play Thursday at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
Danny Willett missed the cut last week at The Players Championship, but he flashed the form that helped him don a green jacket with his opening-round, 7-under 65 at the K Club. It gave Willett a two-shot lead over former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, whose eponymous foundation is hosting this week's event in County Kildare.
Last week was Willett's first start since his surprising Masters triumph, but he appears to have kicked off any lingering rust.