Rory McIlroy is set to begin his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai followed by a start in the US.
Rory McIlroy will start his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates just like in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai will once again be the Northern Irishman’s first big stage in his hunt for more titles, before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament of 2026 is the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, from January 15 to 18. The event is part of the DP World Tour and serves as the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will compete against, among others, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals play alongside amateurs during the first two days. On Sunday, only the pros compete for the tournament win. McIlroy impressed in last year’s similar format, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will stay in the UAE to compete at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back schedule of two top-level events allows the Northern Irishman to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, offering a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the year.
Following Dubai, McIlroy’s focus shifts across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This event holds special significance as he triumphed there last year, earning the first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will play in major tournaments and big events, his full tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026