Golf in 2026: UAE season preview, Majors, rising stars, and must-watch moments

The 2026 professional golf season is just around the corner in the UAE, kicking off with the DP World Tour’s Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort (15–18 January), followed by the HERO Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club (22–25 January). With stars like Rory McIlroy and Dubai-based Tommy Fleetwood confirmed for both weeks, it’s set to be a must-watch start to the year.

On the local scene, the HotelPlanner Tour will visit the UAE twice in April: the Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club (16–19 April) and the RAKBANK UAE Challenge at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club (23–26 April).

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We wish all our UAE based professionals and elite amateur players through the Emirates Golf Federation, the best of good golfing for 2026, wherever they are playing. Khaleej Times Golf will endeavour to follow their progress on whatever tours and events they are competing in! A special mention of Ahmad Skaik, and we will follow his professional journey wherever that takes him.

International Tours and Rising Talent
LIV Golf will return to action at Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia, from 4–7 February 2026. The event will unfold in the absence of Brooks Koepka, who has chosen to spend more time with his family, leaving fans curious about the evolving dynamics of the LIV tour.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour will welcome 10 new members earning dual card status through the DP World Tour. This year’s Class of 2025 is particularly strong, and as previous graduates have shown, dual card status can be a proven pathway to PGA Tour success.

European golf remains in fine form, with six players in the top 12 of the year-end Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR): Rory McIlroy (2), Tommy Fleetwood (3), Robert MacIntyre (7), Justin Rose (10), Alex Noren (11), and Sepp Straka (12). Strong European representation is a positive sign for 2026, particularly outside of Ryder Cup years.

Majors and Women’s Golf Highlights
The major championship calendar is as special as ever: Augusta National, US PGA (Aronimink Golf Club), US Open (Shinnecock), and The Open (Royal Birkdale). Golf fans will be asking who will lift these four trophies in 2026 and whether Europe’s best can rise to the challenge.

On the women’s golf scene, it is a Solheim Cup year.

With it being hosted in the Netherlands in September, can Europe regain the trophy in an event that they have at least held their own in recent years?

The standard of women’s golf in Europe has certainly made huge strides in recent years – there is certainly strength in depth with England’s Charlie Hull flying the flag as the leading player at Number Five in the Rolex Rankings.

To all the local golfers, whether members of golf clubs or not, go out there this year and, as a priority, enjoy the game and have fun. We are thoroughly spoilt with the golfing scene here in the UAE: whether that be the golf courses, the weather, and overall facilities, both outside and the growing indoor and simulator game.

One final thought for the year is: take a lesson or two from a professional golf coach. Try and take a visit to one of the DP World Tour events at the start or close of 2026 – all the leading players have their own coaches and practice routines.

If it is good enough for the world’s best, why not for you?

Good golfing to all! Enjoy!