Rory McIlroy is about to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a tournament in the U.S.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates, just like in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai will once again be the first major stage for the Northern Irishman as he pursues more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Kickoff at the Dubai Invitational
Rory McIlroy’s first tournament in 2026 will be the Dubai Invitational at the Dubai Creek Resort from January 15 to 18. This event is part of the DP World Tour and also serves as the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face, among others, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day pro-am event where professionals play alongside amateurs on the first two days. On Sunday, only the professionals compete for the tournament victory. McIlroy impressed last year in this format, particularly with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Launchpad for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will stay in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back scheduling of these two high-profile events allows the Northern Irishman to build early season consistency, position himself well in the Race to Dubai, and start the season with less travel stress than later on.
Afterwards, his attention will shift across the Atlantic to California, where he has already confirmed his participation in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament is significant as he triumphed there last year, securing his first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will participate in the major tournaments and big events, his other tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026