Rory McIlroy is about to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a debut in the USA.
Rory McIlroy begins his 2026 golf year in the United Arab Emirates, mirroring his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again serves as the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in his pursuit of more titles before heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Debut 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 the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. Among others, McIlroy will face 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 win. McIlroy has previously excelled in this format, notably with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the UAE to compete from January 22 to 25 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The back-to-back schedule of 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 year.
His focus then shifts across the Atlantic to California, where 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 achieving his first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will compete in major tournaments and big events, his overall tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026