Rory McIlroy will soon kick off his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai followed by a start in the US.
Rory McIlroy is set to begin his 2026 campaign 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 he heads to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament of 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 serves as the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face competitors including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals play alongside amateurs during the first two days, with Sunday focused solely on the professionals competing for the title. McIlroy impressed with this format last year, especially 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 remain in the UAE to compete at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back schedule of these high-profile events allows McIlroy to build early consistency, position himself well in the Race to Dubai, and start the season with less travel stress than later on.
Next, his focus will shift across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to play at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance as McIlroy won it last year, marking the first victory of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will participate in major tournaments, his full schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026