Rory McIlroy is set to start his 2026 golf season with two DP World Tour events and a start 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 heading to America in February.
Rory McIlroy’s Start at the Dubai Invitational
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 also marks the opening event 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. On Sunday, only the pros focus on the tournament win. McIlroy impressed in a similar format last year, notably 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 to compete at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from January 22 to 25. The back-to-back sequence of these 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.
Then, his focus shifts across the Atlantic to California: McIlroy has already committed to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am from February 12 to 15. This tournament is especially significant as he triumphed there last year, securing his first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While McIlroy 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