Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Impress At Dubai Invitational

January 19, 2026

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy both impressed at the Dubai Invitational last week with positive signs on season opener.

Both McIlroy and Lowry head to the Dubai Desert Classic this week in strong form, looking to get their hands on the trophy come Sunday.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry Impress At Dubai Invitational

Although it was Spaniard Nacho Elvira who reigned supreme at the 2026 Dubai Invitational, it was a successful week for the Irish contingent with both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry finishing tied for third place.

Elvira was crowned champion as he finished on -10 par after 72 holes of high-quality golf, one shot ahead of Daniel Hillier who finished in solo second on -9 par.

There was a four-way tie for third place with McIlroy, Lowry, David Puig and Julien Guerrier all finishing on -8 par just two shots behind the champion.

It was a week to remember for both McIlroy and Lowry, who both led at different stages of the tournament and produced some world-class golf over the four days at Dubai Creek Resort in the UAE.

What a win by Nacho Elvira, holding off the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Daniel Hillier and David Puig to lift the Dubai Invitational title by a stroke! pic.twitter.com/zDpXLcJv1u

— Golf Monthly (@GolfMonthly) January 18, 2026

McIlroy led after Round 1 of the Dubai Invitational following an impressive start on Thursday, before a poor second round of +3 par. However, the career Grand Slam winner battled over the weekend to finish strong on Sunday and finish T3 alongside his good friend and Ryder Cup teammate Lowry.

The Offaly man wasn’t as hot on Day 1 as McIlroy, but played well the remaining three days, particularly on Friday, to finish alongside his best pal at the conclusion of 72 holes after the final day.

Lowry tied the 36-hole lead after Round 2 and was even tied for the lead going down the 18th on Sunday, but had a nightmare double bogey to conclude his round.

Although Sunday finished in disaster for the 2019 Open Championship winner on the final hole, there are plenty of positives for Lowry to take from the Dubai Invitational as a whole into next week’s international leg at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Rory McIlroy bogeys 18 and loses by two.
Shane Lowry double-bogeys 18 and loses by two.

Nacho Elvira goes birdie-par to secure his third DP World Tour victory. 👑 pic.twitter.com/PoMODbE6DZ

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) January 18, 2026

McIlroy & Lowry Feature At Dubai Desert Classic This Week

After their T3 finishes at the 2026 Dubai Invitational last week, but Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry head to the Dubai Desert Classic this week looking to go one better and claim victory at Emirates Golf Club.

The Dubai Desert Classic is a tournament McIlroy has won four times before, most recently being the 2024 edition. It also happens to be the first European Tour tournament the five-time major champion ever won, so McIlroy certainly has fond memories of this event.

McIlroy changed his clubs for the first time since 2017 ahead of the Dubai Invitational, and it seemed to work a treat for the majority of the tournament. His driver was especially impressive, which bodes well for this week as he attempts to win the Dubai Desert Classic for a record fifth time.

How it finished at Dubai Creek 📊#DubaiInvitational pic.twitter.com/WM3wKSeni9

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 18, 2026

Lowry on the other hand has never won here, but has had a few strong finishes over the years. After his calamity on the 18th hole on Sunday at the Dubai Invitational where he carded a double-bogey six, the Irishman will be looking to put that right this week.

After landing two major sponsorship deals in two days and finishing in T3 in his first tournament of the year, it’s been a good year so far for the three-time PGA Tour winner.

A first win in Dubai at the Dubai Desert Classic would cap-off an impressive January for the Mullingar-born golfer, but he will be up against a formidable opponent in McIlroy if he is to clinch the title.

McIlroy evidently has the winning formula around Emirates Golf Club having won there four times already, so goes into the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic as the pre-tournament favourite.