Steady Start For Shane Lowry At Dubai Desert Classic In Round 1

January 22, 2026

Shane Lowry is just five shots off the pace after Round 1 of the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic.

The 2019 Open Champion carded a -2 par round of 70, making him the leading Irishman of the four in the field.

Shane Lowry Posts Steady -2 Par Opening Round At Dubai Desert Classic

Shane Lowry has made a positive start at the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic after carding an opening round of 70 (-2 par) on Thursday at Emirates Golf Club.

Lowry impressed at the Dubai Invitational last week, finishing in a tie for third just two shots off the pace. The Irishman was even tied for the lead heading down the last hole on Sunday but carded a double-bogey, much to his frustration.

Overall it was a strong week for Lowry last week, and he has picked up where he left off with a strong start this week at the Dubai Desert Classic too.

The Offaly man carded the best round of all four Irish players in the 128-man field this week, and is tied for 12th place after his opening 18-holes.

Slam dunk denied for @ShaneLowryGolf 😮#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/gO20bXJUet

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 22, 2026

Lowry, Tom McKibbin, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy are the four Irishmen teeing it up this week on the DP World Tour, and it was the 2019 Open Champion who carded the best Round 1 score of them all.

The Ryder Cup winner carded five birdies in his opening round, with three bogies and 10 pars. Overall it’s a steady start for the 38-year-old, who is looking to win for the first time in Dubai.

Lowry is five shots off the pace after Round 1, with Francesco Molinari shooting an impressive -7 par round of 65 at Emirates Golf Club.

Five shots to make up in three rounds is nothing for someone the calibre of Lowry, who is one of the most talented golfers in the world and can easily shoot a similar score to Molinari or even better if he’s on song.

The Irishman will be hoping for a strong round on Friday too, hoping to be in the mix over the weekend.

Shane doing Shane things 😍#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/FXnKif2Q0e

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 22, 2026

Rory McIlroy Posts Worst Round 1 Score Of Irish Contingent In Dubai

Although it was a strong start to Round 1 for Shane Lowry at the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic, the same can’t be said for good friend and Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy.

The career Grand Slam winner posted his first over-par round in his last seven starts at Emirates Golf Club, which makes it his worst ever round in 20 years of playing the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy was out of sorts on Thursday, but remains within touching distance of the lead just eight shots off the pace. This might seem a lot, but for someone the calibre of McIlroy, he can make up eight shots in the blink of an eye.

If the Northern Irishman is to win his fifth Dubai Desert Classic title come Sunday, he will have to improve massively and keep in touch with the leaders.

.@padraig_h has been watching Paddy's Golf Tips 😉#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/dHzsNisUTJ

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 22, 2026

The 36-year-old was in fact the worst performer of the Irish contingent in Round 1 at Emirates Golf Club, posting a round of 73 (-1).

As previously mentioned, Shane Lowry carded the best score of 70, with LIV golfer Tom McKibbin almost under par after an opening round of 71 (-1).

Irish veteran Padraig Harrington had a strong start but faltered on the back nine, but is still one shot better off than McIlroy after an opening round of 72 (E).

McIlroy revealed his biggest golf ambitions prior to the Dubai Desert Classic this week, but will have to focus on the job in hand this week before dreaming about what could be in the years to come in his career.