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McIlroy chases historic fifth title as stage set for Dubai Desert Classic
Gulf Today
|January 20, 2026
The stage is set for the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic as the world’s best golfers begin arriving at Emirates Golf Club ahead of the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai season, which runs from Thursday to Sunday.
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With preparations in the final stages and players already familiarising themselves with the iconic Majlis Course, anticipation is building for what promises to be a spectacular week of world-class golf and entertainment at the ‘Major of the Middle East’.
Record four-time champion Rory McIlroy returns to the tournament where he made his debut as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in 2006, marking the 20th anniversary of his first appearance.
The reigning Masters champion and five-time Major winner will be chasing a historic fifth Dallah Trophy alongside a stellar field that includes defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, former World Number One Dustin Johnson, FedEx Cup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, 2022 HDDC champion Viktor Hovland, Rolex Series winner Nicolai Højgaard, and PGA Tour victor Ryan Fox and rising star Tom McKibbin.
This story is from the January 20, 2026 edition of Gulf Today.
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