Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai followed by a tournament in the US.
Rory McIlroy will open his 2026 season in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did in 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 he heads to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s debut at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament in 2026 will be the Dubai Invitational held at Dubai Creek Resort from January 15 to 18. This event is part of the DP World Tour and marks the opening 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 alongside amateurs during the first two days. The focus shifts exclusively to the pros on Sunday, as they compete for the tournament victory. McIlroy had already impressed in this format last year, notably winning 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 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back high-caliber events allow the Northern Irishman to build consistency early and position himself optimally in the Race to Dubai, enabling a season start with less travel stress than later in the year.
Then, his focus shifts across the Atlantic to California, where he is confirmed to play in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance as McIlroy triumphed there last year, securing his first win in his historic career Grand Slam season. While he is expected to compete in major tournaments and majors, 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