Five consecutive birdies offered Rory McIlroy a brief glimpse of Dubai Invitational glory on Sunday before a finish tied third to close his first tournament week of 2026 built with the goal of "just trying to piece it together”.

This week Northern Ireland's McIlroy will switch focus to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic across a January schedule which offers a fresh focus following a 2025 run which featured Masters and Ryder Cup triumphs as highlights.

Starting the final Dubai Invitational round back by three off eventual winner Nacho Elvira, McIlroy recovered from some bogey setbacks with a string of shots saved across holes nine to 13 inclusive.

Sharing a position at the head of the leaderboard at one point, McIlroy wrapped up the round with a number of pars before a bogey finish to sit third alongside Shane Lowry, David Puig and Julien Guerrier - with Elvira edging out Daniel Hillier.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy tees off on the 15th hole across his closing Dubai Invitational round. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

“I was just trying to sort of get the most out of what I had,” McIlroy told media after his round finished with the trophy destination still on the leaderboard and his personal week's scorecard reading 66, 74, 68 and 68. “Obviously I didn't get off to the greatest of starts, I hit a couple good tee shots, good iron shot into the eighth hole, a couple good shots into nine...converted that.

“Hit some really about shots after that...converted some putts.

“But, yeah, I wasn't really focused on winning the tournament...I was just trying to piece it together and make some good swings and try to hit a few more fairways, which I did for the most part.

“Would have been nice to hit the fairway at the last to give myself a chance for birdie there.

“Overall, it was a good first week back...I felt like I learned a lot of stuff about my game.

“I wasn't very sharp but, hopefully, I'm a little bit sharper going into next week than I was going into this week, I guess.”

With another Dubai date days away, McIlroy reflected on his future targets. “Hit a few more fairways...I don't think I'm hitting the club that badly,” he said. “It's just maybe some strategy off the tee.

“I was hitting driver a lot this week, more for practice than anything else.

“Next week at the Emirates, it's obviously important to get the ball in the fairway and give yourself chances from there.

“I think that was maybe a little bit of distance control...felt like I was figuring that out as the week went on but short game and putting felt good, which is a really good sign.

“Just tidy up the ball-striking a little bit and I'll hopefully be right there next week.”

On Saturday, McIlroy was asked about a strong record of results from his first start over the past two decades of professional play.

“I would say the opportunity to work on some things when you have a little bit of time off over the Christmas period,” said McIlroy about the key to that consistency. “And then I just think the enthusiasm to start a new year and start fresh.

“I've always loved coming out here to the Middle East and to Dubai and playing in these tournaments, even from when I was an amateur.”