Rory McIlroy has identified areas of his game to work on ahead of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, having ‘learned a lot of things’ during his late title win at the Dubai Invitational.
The event’s first start of 2026 saw McIlroy birdie four of the last six holes in a first-round 66 and then four times in a second-round 74, with back-to-back 68s over the weekend leaving him tied for third and two shots behind Nacho Elvira.
McIlroy entered the final day three shots back and trailing by six when he canceled out a chip-in birdie at the third with two bogeys over his next three holes to sensationally climb the leaderboard with a sensational run of five consecutive birdies from the ninth.
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Rory McIlroy made this great chip for an ‘unbelievable’ birdie on the third match during his final round at the Dubai Invitational
A flurry of birdies lifted McIlroy into a share of the lead and the Northern Irishman stayed in contention for the title until a final bogey, with the world No 2 able to take positives from his impressive fightback.
“I was just trying to make the most of what I had,” McIlroy admitted of his final round, where he mixed six birdies with three bogeys. “I didn’t have the best start (on Sunday).
Rory McIlroy started his year with a tie for third at the Dubai Invitational
“I hit some good shots, a good shot on the eighth hole, a couple of good shots on the nine and converted. I hit some really good shots after that and converted some putts.”
“I wasn’t really focused on winning the tournament. I was just trying to put it together and hit some good swings and try to hit a few more fairways, which I mostly did. It would have been nice to hit the fairway on the last spot to give myself a chance for birdie.”
“Overall, it was a good first week back. I felt like I learned a lot of things about my game. I wasn’t very sharp, but hopefully I’ll be a little sharper going into next week than I was this week.”
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Highlights from day four of the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, where Nacho Elvira claimed a dramatic victory
McIlroy has unveiled a different set of TailorMade irons and a new golf ball ahead of his return in 2026, after he began tinkering with his setup during his appearance at the Crown Australian Open last month.
The Masters champion finished outside the top 20 in the 60-man field in driving accuracy, regulation greens and scrambling in Dubai, yet started the calendar year with a top-five finish for the 16th time in 20 years.
McIlroy will now be the pre-tournament favorite for his first win of 2026 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, 20 years after making his debut at the event and a tournament he has won four times.
McIlroy has won seven titles in Dubai – four at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and three at the DP World Tour Championship
“I’ve got to hit a few more fairways,” McIlroy added. “I don’t think I’m hitting the club that bad, it’s just maybe some off-game strategy.”
“I’ve been hitting the driver a lot this week, more for practice than anything else. Next week at the Emirates obviously it’s important to get the ball in the fairway and give yourself chances from there.”
“I think it might have been a little bit of distance control, but I felt like I figured it out as the week went on. The short game and putting were good, which is a really good sign.”
“I’ve just got to work on hitting the ball a little bit, and hopefully I’ll be there next week.”
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Highlights of action from the final round of the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic as Rory McIlroy wins the tournament for the fourth time
McIlroy won his first Hero Dubai Desert Classic title as a 19-year-old in 2009 – his first professional victory – before adding further wins in 2015, 2023 and 2024, with ladies’ Laura Davies backing him to win the Dallah Trophy in record time.
“I think that course was made for him – he’s won there many times,” Davis he told Ski Sports. “If Rory doesn’t win, I’ll be very surprised.”
Who will win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic? Watch the Featured Group broadcast live on Thursday from 4:00 on Ski Sports Golf, before the full live coverage from 7:30. Get Ski Sports or stream without a contract on NOW.