Rory McIlroy is entering 2026 with momentum, purpose, and a schedule that reflects both his elite status in the game and his desire to keep pushing the boundaries of greatness. Coming off what he himself called the "best year" of his career, McIlroy has his sights set on more major hardware and a few historic milestones that would further cement his legacy among golf’s all-time greats.
Let’s rewind for a moment. In 2025, McIlroy finally completed the career Grand Slam with a dramatic playoff win at The Masters.
It was his fifth major title-and his first in 11 years. That win alone would’ve been enough to define a season, but McIlroy didn’t stop there.
He was a driving force behind Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph on American soil, a feat that’s never easy and always memorable.
Add to that wins at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players on the PGA Tour, plus a playoff victory at the Amgen Irish Open, and you’ve got a resume that reads like a season for the ages. That Irish Open win also helped him lock up the DP World Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title for a record-extending seventh time.
And the accolades followed. McIlroy became just the third golfer in history to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, and he picked up his sixth Association of Golf Writers Trophy. These aren’t just trophies for the shelf-they’re acknowledgments of a player who’s not just winning, but doing it with consistency, flair, and leadership.
Now, as 2026 kicks off, McIlroy is within striking distance of two major benchmarks. One more major win ties him with Sir Nick Faldo at six-the most by a European in the modern era.
One more Race to Dubai title, and he equals Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight. Both are well within reach, and you can bet McIlroy has them circled.
What’s interesting about McIlroy’s approach to this season is how carefully he’s curating his schedule. He hasn’t released a full calendar yet, but he’s made it clear he’s choosing events that best fit his lifestyle and priorities. When you’ve earned the kind of status McIlroy has, you get the luxury of picking your spots-and he’s doing just that.
He’s starting 2026 with back-to-back appearances on the DP World Tour in the Middle East, including a strong tied-third finish at the Dubai Invitational. Next up is the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament he’s won four times and where he’s always a threat.
From there, McIlroy heads back to the PGA Tour in February to defend his title at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He’ll also be in the field at The Players in March-another event he’s won twice-and then it’s on to Augusta for The Masters in April, where he’ll try to defend the green jacket.
The summer major schedule includes the U.S. Open in June and The Open Championship in July, where McIlroy will look to add to his already impressive major haul. While his full tournament list isn’t confirmed, expect him to appear in most of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, and of course, he’ll be targeting another deep run in the FedExCup Playoffs.
Historically, McIlroy pivots back to the DP World Tour after the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship, and that pattern should hold. A title defense in Ireland and a return to the BMW PGA Championship are both likely on the horizon.
Here’s a look at the events McIlroy has confirmed so far (subject to change):
- January 15-18: Dubai Invitational - Tied-third
- January 22-25: Hero Dubai Desert Classic
- February 12-15: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Signature Event)
- March 12-15: The Players
- April 9-12: The Masters
- June 14-17: U.S.
Open
- July 16-19: The 154th Open Championship
McIlroy in the TGL
Away from traditional stroke play, McIlroy is also part of the TGL-a tech-driven, team-based golf league that’s bringing a new energy to the sport. He’s a member of Boston Common Golf, which got off to a winning start with a 7-5 victory over Los Angeles Golf Club.
The team includes Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott. Each match features three players per team, with the option to rotate in an alternate. All matches are played at the SoFi Center, a purpose-built venue designed specifically for the TGL’s unique format.
Boston Common Golf’s schedule (all times UK):
- January 27: vs. The Bay Golf Club (12am)
- February 23: vs. Atlanta Drive GC (5pm)
- February 25: vs. New York Golf Club (2am)
- March 2: vs. Jupiter Links (2am)
- March 17: SoFi Cup Semi-finals (TBC)*
- March 24: SoFi Cup Final Match 1 (1am) & Match 2 (11pm)*
- March 25: SoFi Cup Final Match 3 (if needed)*
*Subject to qualification
A Look Back at McIlroy’s Career Wins
McIlroy’s five major wins span over a decade and include:
- 2011 U.S. Open
- 2012 PGA Championship
- 2014 The Open Championship
- 2014 PGA Championship
- 2025 The Masters
He made his Ryder Cup debut in 2010 and has been a fixture ever since, playing in eight editions and helping Europe to six wins-including two on American soil.
Heading into 2026, McIlroy boasts 29 PGA Tour victories, with multiple wins at marquee events like the Truist Championship (4), the Tour Championship (3), The Players (2), and the Canadian Open (2). On the DP World Tour, he’s picked up 20 titles, including four Hero Dubai Desert Classic wins, three DP World Tour Championships, and two Amgen Irish Opens.
What’s Next?
With the Grand Slam complete and his confidence at an all-time high, McIlroy is playing with house money-and yet he’s hungrier than ever. Whether it’s chasing down Faldo and Montgomerie in the record books, defending his major titles, or leading his TGL squad to a championship, 2026 is shaping up to be another big year for a player who continues to evolve and elevate.
McIlroy’s not just playing the game-he’s shaping its future. And as long as he’s teeing it up, the golf world will be watching.