Rory McIlroy is about to start his 2026 golf year with two DP World Tour events and a kickoff tournament in America.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 golf season, just like in his career Grand Slam year, in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai will once again be the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in his pursuit of more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Kickoff at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament of 2026 will take place from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort. This event is part of the DP World Tour and also marks the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face, among others, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day pro-am event where professionals play alongside amateurs on the first two days. On Sunday, only the pros compete for the tournament victory. McIlroy proved successful in this format last year, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Launchpad for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will remain in the UAE to compete in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The consecutive scheduling of two high-level events allows McIlroy to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai while enjoying a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the season.
His focus will then shift across the Atlantic to California: McIlroy has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special 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 participate in major tournaments and the majors themselves, his other tournament plans remain undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026