Rory McIlroy is about to kick off his 2026 golf year with two DP World Tour events and a start in America.
Rory McIlroy will open 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 in his pursuit of more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament in 2026 will be the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort from January 15 to 18. The event is part of the DP World Tour and also marks 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 during the first two days. On Sunday, only the pros compete for the tournament victory. This format suited McIlroy well last year, 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 remain in the UAE, competing in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back high-class events allow the Northern Irishman to build early consistency and position himself optimally in the Race to Dubai, enabling a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the year.
His focus will then shift across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance, as he triumphed there last year, claiming the first victory of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will participate in major tournaments and the majors, his full tournament schedule for the season remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026