Rory McIlroy Posts Worst Ever Round At Dubai Desert Classic

January 22, 2026

Rory McIlroy carded his worst ever round at the Dubai Desert Classic with an opening round of 73 (+1) on Thursday.

This is McIlroy’s first over-par round at the Dubai Desert Classic in his last seven starts in the tournament.

Rory McIlroy Cards Worst Ever Round At Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy may have enjoyed some positive Dubai Desert Classic preparation on Wednesday before the 2026 showing of the tournament, but it didn’t pay dividends for Round 1 on Thursday.

The five-time major champion carded an uninspiring round of 73 (+1 par), which is the worst round he has recorded at the tournament since making his debut at the event back in 2006 as a 16-year-old amateur.

Although not a disastrous start to his tournament by any stretch of the imagination, this is a poor round of golf by McIlroy’s usual high standards.

The Northern Irishman couldn’t find any real consistency on Day 1 of the 2026 Dubai Desert Classic, as he began his tournament in an attempt to win the event for a record fifth time.

2006, 16 year old Rory McIlroy makes his Dubai Desert Classic debut. pic.twitter.com/XNpPjxaNtm

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 21, 2026

McIlroy already holds the record for the most Dubai Desert Classic wins in history with four, with several golfers including Tiger Woods having won it on two occasions.

Emirates Golf Club is evidently a course McIlroy likes, but his opening round on Thursday wasn’t quite what he would have been hoping for before his first tee shot.

Although McIlroy was well off the pace, he is only eight shots behind Round 1 leader Francesco Molinari. The former Open champion carded a 65 (-7 par), which is salvageable for McIlroy if he brings his best golf for the next 54-holes in the UAE.

A 188mph Rory McIlroy frozen rope at the iconic 8th tee 🤤#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/mrOnheok7u

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

McIlroy Posts First Over-Par Round In Last Seven Starts At Dubai Desert Classic

Prior to his first round at this year’s Dubai Desert Classic, Rory McIlroy revealed his biggest golf ambitions and what he wants to achieve before he calls it a day and retires from the sport.

One of his biggest ambitions was to win an Olympic medal, not to mention several more major championships. Another one of his ambitions will likely be to top Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai victories.

McIlroy currently has seven, meaning he needs one more to tie the Scottish golfer and two to surpass him as the most successful golfer in European Tour history with season-long Race to Dubai victories.

McIlroy’s third-place finish last week after an impressive Dubai Invitational was a strong start to his Race to Dubai campaign, and picking up a fifth title at the Dubai Desert Classic would have him in pole position already at such an early stage.

Weird putt that didn’t break on the last. Bit of a battle today, wasn’t at his best and the course is certainly tricky in those conditions.

Could’ve been a lot worse tbh and he is far from out of the tourney with scoring as it is.

Better conditions expected tomoz!

+1, 73. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/g5tZZI8oIM

— RORY FANS (@rory_fans) January 22, 2026

However, after carding his first over-par round in his last seven starts at Emirates Golf Club, McIlroy faces an uphill battle. That being said, this is only the second event of the European Tour season with nine months to go before the 2026 Race to Dubai winner is crowned.

There is plenty of time for McIlroy to assert his dominance on the DP World Tour and go on to clinch a record-tying seventh Race to Dubai title come the end of the season.

For now though, McIlroy has work to do in Round 2 on Friday at the Dubai Desert Classic if he has any chance of winning the coveted event for the fifth time come Sunday afternoon.