This Week in Golf: Rory returns, the stars align and the 'Classic' takes centre stage

All the eyes of the golfing world will be on Dubai this week as the HERO Dubai Desert Classic gets underway on Thursday, bringing together a stellar field for the first Rolex Series Event of 2026.

The Emirates Golf Club, renowned for its championship-standard courses and impeccable conditions, will host some of the game’s biggest names, alongside rising stars and regional talent, in what is widely regarded as the ‘Major of the Middle East.’

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It follows all the drama down the road in last week’s Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort, where Spain’s Nacho Elvira overcame a few internal doubts and a chasing pack of some of the leading players in the world trying to catch him over the last nine holes.

An impressive finish from Elvira, but looking at this week’s HERO Dubai Desert Classic, there are surely many more story lines to tell at the Emirates Golf Club.

The field is packed with stars. Whenever Rory McIlroy tees it up, the interest levels certainly rise - it seems that for any event to attract attention locally, regionally, and globally, Rory McIlroy in 2026 must be in the field.

Dubai and the UAE are so lucky to have Rory play here so regularly, and it must be noted that the Dubai Desert Classic was his first professional win, when he won way back in 2009. We saw him as recently as November – just a few weeks ago, playing in the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links and the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. We are almost spoilt being able to watch Rory play on these shores in just a few months and should never take it for granted.

The golf courses are well-established and of genuine championship standard, and are in excellent condition. The weather is perfect, the prize money is at a higher level on the DP World Tour, and the hospitality is second to none.

Rory has a choice and seems very comfortable in the UAE, having based himself here for a while, and he has found that starting his year in this part of the world suits his schedule – and who wants to argue with the Grand Slam Major winner who has won the HERO Dubai Desert Classic an impressive four times.

Elsewhere on golf’s global tours, the MENA Golf Tour restarts its season with the first of its four events on the Egypt Swing – at New Giza Golf Club, Cairo.

We wish all the players all the best, and we will follow their progress during the season.

Dubai-based Rayhan Thomas continues to play his trade on the Korn Ferry Tour in the Bahamas.

Following a useful tied 33rd finish last week, this week’s tournament, Sunday – Wednesday, will see him compete in the second event of the year. Last year in this event, Thomas finished tied 27th on nine under par.

Just as a reminder to all, the top 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour at the end of the year will earn their PGA Tour cards for 2027. This number has been reduced from 30 last year in an attempt to streamline pathways to the top tours fairly and equitably. An indication of the quality of play on the Korn Ferry Tour was last week, when the cut fell at seven under par.

Schedule of Events – This Week

PGA Tour

• The American Express

  • Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th January, 2026

  • Venue: Pete Dye Stadium Course, La Quinta Country Club, California, US

  • Purse: $9.2 million

DP World Tour

• HERO Dubai Desert Classic

  • Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th January, 2026

  • Venue: Majlis Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE

  • Purse: $9 million

MENA Golf Tour

• Egypt Golf Series (1) – New Giza Golf Club, Egypt

  • Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st January, 2026

  • Purse: $100,000

• Egypt Golf Series (2) – Address Marassi Resort, Egypt

  • Saturday 24th – Monday 26th January, 2026

  • Purse: $100,000

Korn Ferry Tour

• The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic – The Abaco Club, Bahamas

  • Sunday 18th – Wednesday 21st January, 2026

  • Purse: $1 million