In the final moments of the 2026 Dubai Invitational, both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry looked set for a fairytale victory to kick-start the year in professional golf. That is until every player reached the final challenge.
With victory in their sights, both McIlroy and Lowry stumbled on the 72nd hole, missing out on a dream start to 2026.
This is what happened.
Rory McIlroy’s epic rally was marred by a final bogey at the Dubai Invitational
Heading into Sunday’s final round, McIlroy was three shots off the lead and hungry to start his year with a bang. An early birdie on the third hole helped his cause, but things went sideways for the five-time major champion after that.
Bogeys on 4 and 7 dropped McIlroy to four under for the tournament and far from the lead. It looked like he had to settle for a top 10 after all.
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By means of:
Jack Hirsch
But then the world number 2 went on one of his trademark hot streaks to completely change the narrative. Rory blasted five consecutive birdies on holes 9-13 to rocket back up the rankings, leaving him tied for the lead at nine.
With five holes to go, McIlroy shared the top of the rankings with Daniel Hiller and 54-hole leader Nacho Elvira. Lowry was one shot back at eight under.
At the par-3 14th, McIlroy watched in dismay as his 30-foot birdie attempt burned the rim of the cup, forcing him to tap in for par. Had his putt fallen, his birdie streak would have stretched to six holes in a row and given him the solo lead with four to play.
By the time McIlroy reached the Dubai Creek Resort’s watery par-4 18th hole, he was still at nine under and level with Elvira and Hiller. But Lowry had jumped into the lead at 10.
Still, with a last-place birdie, a feat he accomplished in Round 1, McIlroy could have set himself up for a playoff. But the toughest hole on the course proved to be too much.
McIlroy lost his ride right behind a grove of palm trees and almost into a lagoon. His second shot landed in a back bunker on the green. He splashed to 15 feet and then just missed his par-saving putt.
The unfortunate bogey dropped McIlroy to eight under and out of contention.
But the drama was far from over.
Shane Lowry suffers a disaster on the 18th hole and loses the Dubai Invitational
As McIlroy walked off the 18th green after his disappointing finish, things were looking good for Lowry, McIlroy’s friend and European Ryder Cup teammate.
Starting the final round two shots back, the 2019 Open champion drained three birdies in his first four holes to secure his place at the top of the leaderboard.
A birdie on the par-5 13th hole put Lowry level with McIlroy, Elvira and Hiller at nine under.
Then at 15, Lowry drained a 27-footer for a monumental birdie that put him at 10 under for the solo lead.
That lead held until the 18th tee, when Lowry, close enough to taste victory, took his drive to the fairway. When McIlroy bogeyed him, Lowry’s chances looked even better.
But then disaster struck. Lowry’s approach shot went too long and ended up in the same bunker as Rory’s shot moments earlier. His bunker shot sailed back over the green and into the water, drawing a penalty shot.
Lowry eventually hit a double-bogey 6, dropping him to eight under (T3) with McIlroy and losing him the lead for good.
Shortly afterwards, Elvira made birdie at 17 to take the solo lead at 10-under and closed with steady par to win.
For Elvira it was his third career DP World Tour victory and his first since 2024.
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