Rory McIlroy is about to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a US tournament.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai will once again be the first big stage for the Northern Irishman on his quest for more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Season Opener at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy will play his first tournament of 2026 from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational held at the Dubai Creek Resort. This event is part of the DP World Tour and also serves as the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. Among others, McIlroy will compete against defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals team up with amateurs during the first two days. On Sunday, only the pros compete for the tournament win, a format where McIlroy has already impressed last year, especially with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will remain in the UAE to compete from January 22 to 25 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The close sequence of these two high-profile events allows the Northern Irishman to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, enabling a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the season.
His focus will then shift across the Atlantic to California, where McIlroy has already committed to playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance as he triumphed there last year, securing his first victory of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will play the major tournaments and bigger events, 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