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 begin his 2026 campaign in the United Arab Emirates, as he did in his career Grand Slam year. Dubai once again becomes the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in his pursuit of more titles before he heads to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Kickoff at the Dubai Invitational
McIlroy’s first tournament of 2026 will be the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort from January 15 to 18. This event is part of the DP World Tour and serves as 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 format where professionals play alongside amateurs on the first two days, focusing solely on professionals competing for the title on Sunday. McIlroy impressed last year with this format, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Dubai as a Springboard 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 back-to-back high-profile events allow McIlroy to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, providing a season start with less travel stress compared to later in the year.
Following Dubai, McIlroy’s focus shifts across the Atlantic to California, where he has already committed to play the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament is particularly significant as he triumphed there last year, securing his first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While it is expected that McIlroy will compete in major tournaments and other big events, the rest of his tournament schedule remains undefined.
Rory’s first hole of his 2026 Tour season 👌 pic.twitter.com/2zRlXT2O6M
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 8, 2026