Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai followed by a tournament in the United States.
Rory McIlroy will kick off his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates, just like in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again becomes the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in his quest for more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament of 2026 will be the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort from January 15 to 18. The event is part of the DP World Tour and also serves as the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face defending champion Tommy Fleetwood among others. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals play with amateurs during the first two days. On Sunday, only pros compete for the tournament victory. This format is one where McIlroy already showed strong performances last year, notably with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The quick succession of two high-profile events allows him 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 year.
His focus then shifts across the Atlantic to California for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15, which McIlroy has already confirmed. This tournament holds special significance as he won there last year, marking his first victory in a historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will participate in major tournaments and majors, his full tournament schedule is still undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026