After a stint in Australia before Christmas Rory McIlroy resumes his 2026 Race to Dubai season at the Dubai Invitational as compatriots Shane Lowry, Tom McKibbin and Pádraig Harrington get theirs underway at Dubai Creek Resort.
The five-time Major Champion will tee it up in the second edition of the event following a history-making 2025 season, which saw him play a starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black – their first win on American soil since 2012.
The Grand Slam winner finished runner-up here on his last appearance in the event and as ever he begins the new year in the Middle East rather than the PGA Tour’s Hawaiian swing with the Dubai Desert Classic to come next week as well.
“I’m excited to be starting my year in Dubai,” said McIlroy. “The UAE is a place where I’ve enjoyed a lot of great weeks, and I’m sure this will be no different.
“Dubai Creek Resort was a fantastic host venue two years ago, and Abdulla and his team put on an incredible event. I came very close to winning that week, so I’m hoping 2026 will be another really good year for me – and to start strong in the Middle East would be the perfect way to get it under way.”
2019 Open champion Lowry delivered one of the most memorable moments in recent Ryder Cup history when his putt on the final green at Bethpage Black secured the crucial half-point that retained the trophy for Europe in September.
The 38-year-old comes into the event seeking a seventh DP World Tour victory and to on his impressive UAE record, which includes victory at the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship just months before his Open Championship triumph on home soil at Royal Portrush.
The Offaly man, making his debut at this event, will hope that 2026 brings more individual success having not won since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“I’m excited to make my debut at the Dubai Invitational,” said Lowry. “The UAE has always been a special place for me, and after the year we’ve had with the Ryder Cup, I’m looking forward to getting 2026 started in Dubai.”
Meanwhile, McKibbin will be looking to lock in some early Race to Dubai points as he tees it up this week before LIV Golf’s fifth season begins next month.
2026 promises to be a very exciting season for the Holywood man who ended last season with his second tour victory at the Hong Kong Open which pencilled him in for the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and a Masters debut.
Harrington can look forward to three of the four majors this year after an excellent 2025 which saw him win the US Senior Open and Senior Open Championship titles on the over 50s circuit.
The three-time major winner is hitting the ground running this month with three consecutive events including next week’s Dubai Desert Classic and the Bahrain Championship.
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