Rory McIlroy kicks off his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a start in America.
Rory McIlroy begins his 2026 golf year as he did in his career Grand Slam year in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai once again becomes the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in his pursuit of more titles before moving to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
Rory McIlroy will play his first tournament of 2026 from January 15 to 18 at the Dubai Invitational at the Dubai Creek Resort. The event is part of the DP World Tour and serves as 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 during the first two days. On Sunday, the focus is exclusively on the pros competing for the tournament victory. This format, in which McIlroy particularly impressed last year with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, suits him well.
Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season
After the Dubai Invitational, McIlroy remains in the United Arab Emirates. From January 22 to 25, he competes at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The consecutive scheduling of two high-class events allows the Northern Irishman to build early consistency, position himself well in the Race to Dubai, and enjoy a season start with less travel stress than later in the season.
His focus then shifts across the Atlantic to California: McIlroy has already committed to playing 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 the major tournaments and majors, his overall tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season đ pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
â DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026