DUBAI: Rory McIlroy has revealed his focus for the 2026 DP World Tour campaign as he targets his fifth Rolex Series title at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The world No. 2 enjoyed a year to remember in 2025, becoming the sixth male 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.
He 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.
“I think I need to show up at tournaments with enthusiasm every single time,” said McIlroy. “Playing in the places that I want to play, playing the tournaments I want to play. Not feeling like I’m at a tournament because I’m obligated or have to be there, but because I want to be there.
“I think it’s bringing that attitude and knowing my limitations. 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 the results will take care of themselves.”
His enduring affinity with the Middle East was on display again 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 UAE 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. 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,” he added.
“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 felt “surreal” as he prepared 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 No. 21 has again highlighted the tournament as a priority on his schedule.
“It’s always great to be here playing this event. This is my 13th year on Tour, and this was always one of the events I looked forward to playing or hoped that I would play in one day,” said Hatton.
“I remember as a kid, I’d wake up early before going to school and I’d enjoy watching this event on TV. So to play in this event and to come back here as defending champion is somewhat surreal, but very special and I always enjoy starting my season here.
“This is a massive event for me. 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 team-mate Jon Rahm as the most successful Rolex Series player since its inception in 2017, with both players locked on five triumphs.
“I’ve just been lucky that I’ve played well in the big events. I’m proud of my record to win five Rolex Series, and three wins at the Dunhill as well is really special,” he said. “The events I’ve been lucky enough to win, they are all pretty prestigious with the Tour, so something I’m proud of.”
Past champion Viktor Hovland opened his 2026 campaign with a top 25 finish at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honor of Gary Player in December, and despite remaining in the evolution of his swing, the Norwegian is also optimistic for the season ahead.
“I would say I managed things better towards the end of year. I had some better results and found a bit more consistency,” said Hovland.
“I took a few weeks off at the end of the year and (have) been out here the past couple weeks just practicing and getting ready. Grant (Waite) came out here last week, and I think we really got down to, how do I actually solve this problem? And as soon as I found the feel for it, it started looking almost like it did back in the day.
“It might be a little bit too quick this week, but I’m really happy with just how things are trending. I think this year is going to be a good one.”
