Rory McIlroy soon begins his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a start in the United States.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 golf year, as in his career Grand Slam year, in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai once again serves as 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 of 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 is 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, with professionals playing alongside amateurs in the first two days, and only professionals competing on Sunday for the tournament victory. This format suits McIlroy well, having impressed similarly with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy stays in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back scheduling of two high-level events allows the Northern Irishman to quickly build consistency, position himself well in the Race to Dubai, and start the season with less travel stress than later in the year.
His sights then turn across the Atlantic to California: McIlroy has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance since he won there last year, marking the first victory in his historic career Grand Slam season. While he is expected to participate in all major tournaments and majors, 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