Rory McIlroy will soon begin his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a start in America.
Rory McIlroy is set to launch his 2026 season in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did during his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again becomes 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 take place from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational held at the Dubai Creek Resort. This event is part of the DP World Tour and marks the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face off against defending champion Tommy Fleetwood among others. 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. McIlroy last year already impressed with this format, particularly with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
Following the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the UAE to compete at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back scheduling of these high-level events allows the Northern Irishman to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, enabling a season start with less travel stress than later in the year.
Following these events, McIlroy will turn his attention across the Atlantic to California, where he is 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, securing the first victory of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will play in major tournaments and the biggest events, 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