Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai and a tournament in the US.
Rory McIlroy will begin his 2026 season in the United Arab Emirates, just like in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai will once again be the Northern Irishman’s first major stage on his quest for more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first event in 2026 takes place from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational held at Dubai Creek Resort. This event is part of the DP World Tour and serves as the opening tournament of the Race to Dubai International Swing. Among others, McIlroy will face defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals play alongside amateurs during the first two days, and Sunday features only the pros competing for the title. McIlroy has already impressed in this format last year, notably with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Launchpad for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will remain in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back scheduling of these two prestigious events allows him to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, providing a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the year.
Following Dubai, McIlroy will cross the Atlantic to California for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15, an event he has already committed to. This tournament holds special significance as he triumphed there last year, securing the first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While he is expected to compete in major tournaments throughout the year, much of his tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026