Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai and a tournament in the USA.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 golf season in the United Arab Emirates, just like during his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again serves as the first major stage for the Northern Irishman on his quest for more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Kickoff at the Dubai Invitational
Rory McIlroy’s first tournament of 2026 takes place from January 15th to 18th at the Dubai Invitational held 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. McIlroy will face last year’s defending champion Tommy Fleetwood among others. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event, where professionals play alongside amateurs in the first two days, with only the pros competing for the title on Sunday. McIlroy has previously excelled in this format, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
Following the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22nd to 25th. The back-to-back nature of these two high-caliber events allows the Northern Irishman to build early consistency, position himself well in the Race to Dubai, and enjoy a season start with less travel stress than later in the year.
Afterwards, McIlroy turns his sights across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12th to 15th. This tournament holds special importance as he triumphed there last year, securing the first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected he will participate in the major tournaments, McIlroy’s full schedule for the year remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026