GOLF – RORY McIlroy revealed yesterday his focus for the 2026 DP World Tour campaign as he targets his fifth Rolex Series title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which gets underway today in the UAE.
The world number two enjoyed a year to remember in 2025, becoming the sixth men’s player in history to complete the career Grand Slam with victory at the Masters last April. The Northern Irishman added further silverware in September by claiming his second Amgen Irish Open title before playing a pivotal role in helping Team Europe retain the Ryder Cup in a dramatic contest at Bethpage Black in New York.
McIlroy rounded off a stellar season by lifting the Harry Vardon Trophy for a seventh time, confirming his status as Europe’s number one.
Despite a momentous year, the 36-year-old insists he will not rest on his laurels and will bring the same hunger and enthusiasm to every event he tees it up in, including this week at Emirates Golf Club.
“I think it’s bringing that attitude and knowing my limitations and knowing, okay, this is somewhere I want to play,” said McIlroy yesterday during a pre-event Press conference. “I’ve always said the results will take care of themselves if you do the other things right, and I think this year my focus is just doing the other things right.
“Then I feel like I’m a good enough golfer that then the results will take care of themselves.”
McIlroy’s enduring affinity with the Middle East was once again on display at last week’s Dubai Invitational, where he finished two shots behind winner Nacho Elvira in a share of third. That result extended his remarkable record in the Emirates to seven victories, eight runner-up finishes, and 37 top 10 results.
This week also marks 20 years since McIlroy made his debut at Emirates Golf Club as a 16-year-old amateur, as he sets his sights on capturing the iconic Dallah Trophy for an unprecedented fifth time.
“I love Dubai,” McIlroy expressed. “It holds so many great memories for me, first of which was coming here as a 16-year-old and playing in the Dubai Desert Classic for the first time as an amateur, and I played twice as an amateur.
“In 2007, I made the cut, and that got me to world number one in the amateur rankings, and two years later, I won my first professional event here. So it’s a lot of great memories. I’ve met a lot of great people along the way. Honestly, I’ve always felt like it was a perfect place to start the year.”
Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton admitted returning to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as defending champion feels “surreal” as he prepares for his first start on the 2026 Race to Dubai.
The 34-year-old edged New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier by one shot to claim his eighth DP World Tour title at last year’s event, and the world number 21 has once again highlighted the tournament as a priority on his schedule.
“This is a massive event for me,” said Hatton. “This is a tournament that I always look forward to playing in.
“Off the top of my head, I don’t think I’ve missed this event since I got my Tour card. I love playing here. I’d love to give myself a good chance to defend the title this week.”
Victory in Dubai would see Hatton move clear of Ryder Cup teammate Jon Rahm as the most successful Rolex Series player since its inception in 2017, with both players locked on five triumphs.
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