Shane Lowry Confirmed As Last-Minute Inclusion In Dubai Invitational Field With Debut Pending

Major champion Shane Lowry has been added to the 2026 Dubai Invitational field as a last-minute inclusion in the invite-only event.

The Irishman will tee it up alongside several top players and Ryder Cup teammates including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.

Shane Lowry Confirmed As Last-Minute Inclusion In Dubai Invitational Field

Former major champion Shane Lowry has been added to the 2026 Dubai Invitational field as a last-minute inclusion for the DP World Tour opener.

The Irishman was already confirmed for the Dubai Desert Classic, but is now set to play the week prior too after being asked to compete in this invitation-only tournament in the UAE.

The Dubai Invitational is set to take place from January 15-18 at Dubai Creek Golf Club, with 60 of the world’s best professional players ready to get their seasons underway in this biennial tournament.

The Dubai Invitational marks the first event of the 2026 Race to Dubai, with Rory McIlroy looking to win a fifth successive title and eighth overall as he closes in on Colin Montgomerie’s record.

2026 @DPWorldTour calendar year set for exciting start as former @TheOpen champions Shane Lowry and Francesco Molinari join Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Ryan Fox and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen in field for next week's Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek @ScotsmanSport pic.twitter.com/2Gc8uzT21U

— Martin Dempster (@DempsterMartin) January 5, 2026

McIlroy is also getting his season underway at the Dubai Invitational, meaning he will have Lowry for company as the two Irish golfers and good friends both tee it up in Dubai for the opening two weeks of the year.

Former Open champion Francesco Molinari has also been confirmed for the event, with a whole host of other top players already having been confirmed for the biennial invite-only tournament.

Tommy Fleetwood won the inaugural Dubai Invitational two years ago, and will be looking to defend his title in Dubai as the reigning champion and one of the pre-tournament favourites too.

LIV Golf star Dustin Johnson is also in the field, as are European Tour winners Tom McKibbin, Patrick Reed, Nicolai Hojgaard and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen to name but a few.

Lowry confirmed his retirement plans not too long ago, but isn’t planning on calling it quits anytime soon. In fact, the Irishman is hoping for 2026 to be the best year of his career to date. That could start with victory at the Dubai Invitational.

⛳️ Dubai Invitational
⛳️ Hero Dubai Desert Classic ⭐️
⛳️ Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship

Starting 2026 and the International Swing in the Middle East 🇦🇪🇧🇭 pic.twitter.com/wm4EFRrwZc

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 5, 2026

Lowry Set For Dubai Invitational Debut

With Shane Lowry being confirmed as a last-minute inclusion in the 2026 Dubai Invitational Field, this means the Mullingar man will make his debut at the tournament from January 15-18.

Although the 38-year-old has played in Dubai and the UAE on multiple occasions previously, this year will mark the first time the 2019 Open Championship winner has competed at the Dubai Invitational.

Lowry delivered one of the most memorable moments at the 45th Ryder Cup back in September, sinking the putt that secured the crucial half-point that meant Team Europe retained the Ryder Cup in New York.

Now, the Westmeath man will head to Dubai looking to earn a seventh DP World Tour victory. Lowry has won in the UAE before, and will be looking to build on his strong record following his victory at the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship just months before winning his major title at Royal Portrush.

The 2026 @DPWorldTour calendar year kicks off in 2 weeks at the Dubai Invitational. Solid limited field to kick off the Middle East swing:
🇮🇪 Rory McIlroy
🇺🇸 Patrick Reed
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Tommy Fleetwood
🇮🇪 Shane Lowry
🇪🇸 David Puig
🇮🇪 Tom McKibbin
🇩🇰 Nicolai Hojgaard
🇿🇦 Jayden Schaper
🇩🇰…

— Pro Golf Critic (@ProGolfCritic) January 3, 2026

Lowry is chomping at the bit to get going with his 2026 season, and is hopeful of a positive start in Dubai:

“I’m excited to make my debut at the Dubai Invitational,” said Lowry.

“The UAE has always been a special place for me, and after the year we’ve had with the Ryder Cup, I’m looking forward to getting 2026 started in Dubai.”

Lowry is eyeing Masters success too this year, looking to follow in the footsteps of his good friend Rory McIlroy in claiming the Green Jacket.

The Irishman will be hopeful of a strong start to the season, heading into the majors in fine form and ready to compete with the world’s best.