Nacho Elvira triumphed over Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, and David Hillier to win the Dubai Invitational. Marcel Siem finishes in the top 15.
Nacho Elvira claimed the first DP World Tour title of the year after a gripping battle with top contenders. The Spaniard had extended his lead to three strokes but faltered with bogeys on the final holes of the front nine and found water at the 10th. Although he saved par there, it opened the door for rivals Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, David Hillier, and Marcus Armitage, who were all tied for the lead midway through the final round.
DP World Tour: Exciting Final Duel at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy surged into a share of the lead with five consecutive birdies but dropped back with a bogey on the 18th hole. Shane Lowry broke away from the pack and took the sole lead with a monster putt at the 15th.
SHANE LOWRY TAKES THE LEAD ☘️#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/2cr5rf5d0I
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 18, 2026
Elvira caught up at the 17th and the tournament was decided in a duel on the 18th. The Spaniard showed stronger nerves, making a solid par despite missing the green. Lowry hit his second shot into a bunker and then pushed the ball off the green into the water, resulting in a double bogey. He dropped to third place, sharing the position with McIlroy.
This victory marks Elvira’s third DP World Tour win, following his triumph at the Soudal Open in May 2024.
Marcel Siem impressed on the first final day of the new year. With a 66, he climbed to tied 13th, narrowly missing the top 10. Siem made nine birdies but also risked four bogeys, mostly due to missed greens. At the 18th hole, an unfavorable position near the water hazard forced a penalty drop and he narrowly missed saving par. Overall, he improved his position by 12 places.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen seemed to find his form after three