Rory McIlroy Embarks on 2026 Season Following Career-Defining Year

Masters Champion Returns to Action

Five-time major champion Rory McIlroy’s 2026 campaign gets under way at the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek Resort on Thursday as the Masters champion aims to make a “strong start” in the Middle East. The Northern Irishman enters the new season with unprecedented momentum after completing the career Grand Slam with his dramatic play-off win at The Masters, his fifth major title and first in 11 years, cementing his place among golf’s all-time greats.

A Record-Breaking 2025 Campaign

McIlroy will target more major success and further records during his 2026 schedule, having enjoyed the “best year” of his career during the previous campaign. Beyond his historic Masters triumph, the Northern Irishman also won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players on the PGA Tour, while a play-off success at the Amgen Irish Open helped him secure the DP World Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai for a seventh time. His remarkable achievements also included playing a key role in Europe’s impressive Ryder Cup victory over Team USA on American soil.

Major Equipment Changes for 2026

In a surprising move, McIlroy swapped his TaylorMade Rors Protos to TaylorMade P7CB, making it the first time he hasn’t had a blade-style iron in his golf bag. The 36-year-old revealed he was “trying a new set of irons, which I’m very excited about at the minute” ahead of his Boston Common Golf match in the TGL competition.

Looking Ahead: Chasing History

He is one win away from matching Sir Nick Faldo’s total of six majors – the most by a European in the modern era – and one away from equalling Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight Race to Dubai titles, with both potential targets for McIlroy over the forthcoming season. As McIlroy begins his 2026 journey, golf fans worldwide will be watching to see if the Northern Irishman can build on his career-defining year and continue rewriting the record books.