Nacho Elvira prevailed in the finale of the Dubai Invitational against Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, and David Hillier. Marcel Siem finished in the top 15.
Nacho Elvira won a thrilling battle with top names to claim the first DP World Tour title of the year. The Spaniard had extended his lead to three strokes but faltered with bogeys at the end of the front nine and also hit water on the 10th hole. Although he managed to save par there, he opened the door for rivals like Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, David Hillier, and Marcus Armitage, who all shared the lead after more than halfway through the final round.
DP World Tour: Exciting Final Battle at Dubai Invitational
McIlroy climbed into a share of the lead with five consecutive birdies but dropped back with a bogey on the 18th. Shane Lowry broke away from the pack with a monster putt on the 15th to take sole possession of the lead.
SHANE LOWRY TAKES THE LEAD ☘️#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/2cr5rf5d0I
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 18, 2026
Elvira caught up on the 17th, turning the tournament into a head-to-head battle on the 18th. The Spaniard showed steady nerves with a solid par after missing the green. Lowry, however, landed his second shot in a bunker and then sent the ball over the green into the water. He carded a double bogey, dropping to third place, tied with McIlroy.
This victory marks Elvira’s third on the tour. He last won the Soudal Open in May 2024.
Marcel Siem surged on the first final day of the year. With a 66-round, he climbed to T13 just missing the top 10. He recorded nine birdies while risking four bogeys mostly from missed greens. On the last hole, he found himself near a water hazard, resulting in a penalty drop and narrowly missing par. Overall he moved up 12 places.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen seemed to find his form