Rory McIlroy is about to kick off his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a start in the US.
Rory McIlroy will begin his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again serves as the first major stage for the Northern Irishman on 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 takes place from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational at the Dubai Creek Resort. The event is part of the DP World Tour and also marks the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. There, McIlroy will face defending champion Tommy Fleetwood among others. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day pro-am event, where professionals play alongside amateurs on the first two days. On Sunday, only the professionals compete for the tournament victory. This format particularly suited McIlroy last year, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Launchpad for a Long Season
Following the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the UAE for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back scheduling of these two high-level events allows the Northern Irish star to build early consistency and position himself optimally in the Race to Dubai, enabling a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the year.
His focus then shifts across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds particular 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 the major tournaments and other big events, his overall tournament schedule remains undefined.