While the 2026 PGA Tour season got underway this week at the 2026 Sony Open, the Tour’s biggest star, Rory McIlroy, is not in the field. But he’s starting his season this week too, albeit halfway across the world.

As he usually does, McIlroy is making his first start of the year on the DP World Tour, this time at the Dubai Invitational. And he’s not wasting any time working off the rust. McIlroy is within striking distance of the lead heading into the final round.

Here’s what you need to know.

McIlroy, Lowry in hunt at Dubai Invitational

McIlroy isn’t the only star player making his 2026 debut at this week’s Dubai Invitational. His friend and European Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry is as well.

And both players will have a shot at victory on Sunday.

Gear

McIlroy, sporting new equipment, shot out of the gates on Thursday with a 66. He took a few steps back with a 74 in Round 2, but then fought back with a 68 on Saturday at the Dubai Creek Resort course.

That leaves Rory at five under, just three shots off the lead held by Nacho Elvira and one shot out of second place with 18 holes to go.

Lowry did one better. Steady rounds of 69-68-70 have Lowry at six under, just two shots behind Elvira.

If Lowry were to win, it would represent his first DP World Tour victory since 2022.

“It’s the reason I get up in the morning,” Lowry explained after his round. “Try my best. Working as hard as I can, and yeah, hopefully it will come soon.”

McIlroy explains incredible early-season record

It’s hard to argue with McIlroy’s strategy of starting his seasons in the Middle East playing DP World Tour events when you look at his results.

McIlroy will be hunting for an incredible fifth Dubai victory on Sunday.

As a reporter pointed out to the five-time major winner after his round Saturday, McIlroy has collected 15 top-5 finishes in his first start over the past 20 years.

After his round, McIlroy revealed why he thinks he has so much early-season success.

“I would say the opportunity to work on some things when you have a little bit of time off over the Christmas period, and then I just think the enthusiasm to start a new year and start fresh,” McIlroy said in a post-round interview.

Additionally, McIlroy explained that his comfort with the DP World Tour events, and this Dubai tournament in particular, helps him perform his best.

“I’ve always loved coming out here to the Middle East and to Dubai and playing in these tournaments, even from when I was an amateur. I played a couple Desert Classics as an amateur as well. So I’ve been coming here for, jeez, over 20 years I guess at this point,” McIlroy said. “So it’s a place I’m comfortable, I’ve made a lot of friends here along the way, and I’m always excited to start my year in Dubai.”

If McIlroy pulls off a Sunday comeback and wins, it will represent his 21st DP World Tour victory and will get him a head start on his 2026 Race to Dubai campaign.

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