Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events in Dubai and a tournament in the US.
Rory McIlroy will begin 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 stage for the Northern Irish player’s pursuit of more titles before he heads to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
His 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 marks the opening event of the Race to Dubai International Swing. McIlroy will face competitors including defending champion Tommy Fleetwood. The Dubai Invitational is a three-day Pro-Am event where professionals play alongside amateurs for the first two days. On Sunday, the focus is solely on the pros competing for the tournament win. This format suited McIlroy well last year, especially with his victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Launchpad for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy will stay in the UAE for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back high-class events allow him to build early consistency and secure a strong position in the Race to Dubai with less travel stress than later in the season.
His attention will then shift across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament holds special significance as McIlroy triumphed there last year, securing the first victory of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will participate in the major tournaments and other big events, his full tournament schedule has yet to be defined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026