Golf-fans will hardly be surprised by the news, but it still marks a clear statement of intent for the coming season: Rory McIlroy has announced that he will launch his 2026 campaign on the DP World Tour rather than in his usual early-year spots on the PGA Tour.
The four-time major champion (and by now a veteran at the age of 36) has confirmed that his first tournament of the new year will be the Dubai Invitational, held at Dubai Creek Resort from 15-18 January. He also intends to remain in the region to play the following week’s Dubai Desert Classic — a tournament he has won four times and knows well.
Why this move makes sense
McIlroy’s decision is hardly out of the blue. He has typically started his seasons in the United Arab Emirates rather than the U.S., aside from a one-off appearance at the 2019 Sentry in Hawaii. With his schedule increasingly global and guided by personal goals rather than just the biggest U.S. events, this appears to be a natural evolution.
He cited how much he enjoys the UAE setting, how the venue at Dubai Creek “was a fantastic host” when he played it before and how he nearly won the week in question—so starting strong in the Middle East makes logical sense. Having already completed the career grand slam earlier this year, his freedom to pick and prioritise different events has increased.
Implications for his 2026 season
By opening his 2026 campaign in this way, McIlroy signals a few things: first, that his focus remains global, not just U.S-centric; second, that he may be more selective about his PGA Tour commitments, choosing quality over quantity. Coverage suggests he might not play every “signature” event on the PGA Tour next year, emphasising life balance and strategic scheduling.
His appearance in the Australian Open in December 2025 (as part of the DP World Tour wrap-around 2026 season) is also already confirmed, which underlines his international orientation. For fans, this means we can expect McIlroy to travel, to tee up in different regions, and perhaps to deploy his talents where he wants, rather than where tradition might dictate.
Looking ahead
What remains to be revealed are his other tournament commitments for 2026: the full PGA Tour slate he will embrace, how many events he will play, and how he will balance his global appearances with major championship goals and the ever-looming presence of the Ryder Cup and other team competitions.
But if his early announcement is any guide, McIlroy is entering the next phase of his career on his own terms — global in outlook, strategic in planning, and determined to start strong.
For those following his journey, be ready to mark the calendar for mid-January in Dubai. The season for Rory McIlroy begins there, and very much on his own schedule.
