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Rory McIlroy Kicks Off 2026 Season in Dubai with Ambitious Title Chase

Rory McIlroy begins his 2026 golf season in Dubai with two DP World Tour events and a February start in the US.

Rory McIlroy will launch his 2026 campaign in the United Arab Emirates, just as he did during his career Grand Slam year. Dubai is set to become the first major stage for the Northern Irishman in 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, taking place 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 event where professionals play alongside amateurs during the first two days. The final day focuses exclusively on the pros competing for the title, a format that McIlroy excelled at last year, especially with his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Dubai as a Springboard for a Long Season

Following 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 the Northern Irishman to build early consistency and position himself well in the Race to Dubai, while minimizing travel stress compared to later in the season.

Afterward, McIlroy’s focus shifts 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 he triumphed there last year, securing the first win of his historic career Grand Slam season. While he is expected to participate in major tournaments, his full schedule beyond these events remains undefined.