Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 preview, picks & analysis

When Rory McIlroy climbs on to the first tee at the Dubai Desert Classic it is a sure sign that the DP World Tour season is in full swing. The Northern Irishman adores this part of the world and this tournament and would love to win it again.

Having won the Race to Dubai for a seventh time, one of his chief targets for 2026 will be to equal Colin Montgomerie’s record eight titles, and it would be a brave man who would bet against him achieving precisely that. 

He will arrive in Dubai chasing a record fifth Dallah Trophy. Incredibly, McIlroy’s return to Emirates Golf Club will mark 20 years since his first appearance in the tournament as an amateur back in 2006. He went on to claim his maiden Dubai Desert Classic title as a 19-year-old in 2009 - his first professional victory - before further wins in 2015, 2023 and 2024. That dramatic comeback success in 2024 sealed a record fourth title and underlined his enduring connection with the tournament and its fans.

"2025 was a great year for me, and I’m excited about what’s still to come," said the Masters champion. "The Dubai Desert Classic has always been one of my favourite tournaments, and I’m really looking forward to returning to Emirates Golf Club in January. I consider Dubai a second home - the support there is always incredible, and it’s the perfect place to start the year."

McIlroy is the star attraction in what is a glittering field.

Tyrrell Hatton will tee it up in the event for the 11th time. He secured the half point that sealed the win for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, as he and McIlroy helped their side to defeat the United States 15-13 and record a first away win since 2012.

Hatton’s win last January preceded a tied fourth finish at the U.S. Open and top 20 finishes at both The Masters and The Open, helping him to qualify for a fourth Ryder Cup appearance.

The eight-time DP World Tour winner shot four under par rounds at Emirates Golf Club to win the famous Dallah Trophy by one-stroke - in doing so securing a second Rolex Series victory of his career - and he’s looking forward to returning to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic with the aim of retaining his title.

The Englishman said: "I’m delighted to be heading back to Emirates Golf Club to defend my title. It’s a golf course that has really suited my game over the years, and the week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic back in January was incredibly special for me.

"It’s always good to go back to a place where you’ve won before, and I’m really excited to have a chance to contend for the title again to follow on from what has been a pretty incredible year."

One of the favourites will be England’s Tommy Fleetwood. He enjoyed a stellar 2025 season, claiming the FedExCup title after a dramatic victory at the Tour Championshipbefore playing a crucial role in Europe's historic Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black.

The former Race to Dubai champion will make his 15th consecutive appearance on the Majlis Course, having contested the Hero Dubai Desert Classic every season since turning professional. Fresh from his victory at the inaugural DP World India Championship, Fleetwood hopes to once again savour the joy of celebrating with friends and family, this time in his adopted hometown.

"I have had an incredible year, winning the FedExCup and being part of that special Ryder Cup victory for Europe," said Fleetwood. "I always enjoy starting my season in Dubai and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has become a tournament that I love. I'm looking forward to teeing it up close to home in front of friends and family once again and trying to get my hands on that famous Dallah Trophy."

European Ryder Cup heroes Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, along with two-time major champion and former world number one Dustin Johnson are also in the field.

Hovland and Lowry have been instrumental in Europe's recent Ryder Cup dominance, with Lowry holing the crucial putt on the 18th green that ensured Europe retained the trophy. The Irishman's heroics marked a career-defining moment for the 2019 Open Championship winner, who has now represented Europe at three consecutive Ryder Cups.

Lowry, who will make his 10th Hero Dubai Desert Classic appearance, and his first since 2023, said: "There were some incredible moments in 2025, particularly at Bethpage Black, and now I'm looking forward to getting 2026 off to a positive start by returning to Dubai for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. I've played this tournament many times over the years and I always love being back at Emirates Golf Club. It's a fantastic way to start the year."

He will feel he has a point to prove after narrowly missing out on the Dubai Invitational title on Sunday.

Norwegian star Hovland, who lifted the Dallah Trophy in 2022, returned to winning form in 2025 with victory at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour before helping Europe to another triumph in New York.

The 2023 FedEx Cup Champion is eager to return to the Majlis Course. "Winning here in 2022 was really cool, and it’s always a great place to start the year," said Hovland. "The tournament is one of the highlights of the season - great golf course, great weather, and I'm looking forward to competing for the trophy again."

Johnson, a two-time major champion who claimed the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters Tournament, will make his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut. The former world number one, who spent 135 weeks at the top of the rankings, represented the United States at five Ryder Cups between 2010 and 2021, compiling an impressive 12-9-0 record.

At the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Johnson became the first American player in over 40 years to achieve a perfect 5-0 record, earning every point available to him as the United States claimed a dominant victory.

"I'm really looking forward to playing the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the first time," said Johnson. "I've heard great things about the event and Emirates Golf Club. When you look at past champions like Seve, Tiger and Rory, you know it's a really prestigious tournament with incredible history. I'm excited to compete for the Dallah Trophy and be part of what is always a world-class field."

Johnson is joined by a number of other LIV golfers, including Patrick Reed, Tom McKibbin, Laurie Canter and Joaquin Niemann. 

You may remember that McIlroy famously snubbed Reed a couple of years ago after the American attempted to shake hands with the Northern Irishman. I am still at a loss to understand why these LIV players are allowed to compete here if for no other reason than the fact that they are denying genuine DP World Tour members a place in the field.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2016 by Danny Willett, in 2017 by Sergio Garcia, in 2018 by Li Haotong, in 2019 by Bryson DeChambeau, in 2020 by Lucas Herbert, in 2021 by Paul Casey, in 2022 by Viktor Hovland and in 2023 and 2024 by Rory McIlroy and last year by Tyrrell Hatton.

The Course:

Emirates Golf Club is a spectacular par 72 measuring 7,428 yards. The from nine is a par 35 and the back nine, featuring three great par fives, is a par 37. Designed by Karl Litten, it was built in 1988. It was quite literally carved out of the desert and features many waste areas, palm trees, bunkers, water hazards and large putting surfaces. The fairways are pretty generous but miss them at your peril. 

Form Guide:

Rory McIlroy will obviously start as favourite and it is hard to bet against him. He has won this tournament four times.

Prize Money:

The total prize fund is $9m, with the winner collecting around $1.5m, with 8,000 Race to Dubai points on offer.

How to Watch:

Thursday, January 22, Sky Sports Golf, 7.30am; Friday, January 23, Sky Sports Golf, 7.30am; Saturday, January 24, Sky Sports Golf, 7am; Sunday, January 25, Sky Sports Golf, 7am.

To Win:

Rory McIlroy. Adores this course

Each Way:

Tyrrell Hatton. In sensational form

Each Way:

Tommy Fleetwood. Always plays well here

Five to Follow:

Rory McIlroy. Defending champion

Tyrrell Hatton. Impossible to ignore

Tommy Fleetwood. Wonderful iron player

Joaquin Niemann. World-class

Viktor Hovland. Looking to rediscover consistency

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Ethan Fang. Promising amateur

Andy Sullivan. Can still go low

Brandon Robinson Thompson. Played som glorious golf in 2025

Brandon Stone. Sweet swinger

Andrew Johnston. Always a crowd favourite