Dubai Invitational | The Debrief

Elvira holds nerve for victory

Nacho Elvira came out on top with a nerveless display during a roller coaster final round to claim his third DP World Tour title at Dubai Creek Resort.

No less than five players shared the lead on a chaotic Sunday in the UAE, where overnight leader Elvira cruised into a three-shot lead following a third birdie of the day at the seventh.

He left the door ajar when finishing his front nine with successive bogeys as Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Daniel Hillier and Marcus Armitage joined the Spaniard at the summit at nine under down the final stretch.

Lowry made his move with a birdie at the 15th, only to double bogey the last and spectacularly fall out of contention.

Hillier was the clubhouse leader at nine under, but Elvira carded his first birdie of the back nine at the 17th to take a one-shot lead down the last and calmly rolled a final par for a brilliant victory.

"It means the world," the 38-year-old said. "If you told me on Tuesday that I'd be winning this tournament I'd have never believed you.

"It's a dream come true, especially having the family here. I've always dreamed to have my kids walking up to me with a win and anything that happens after this, nothing compares to this."

McIlroy happy with week's work

McIlroy felt his four rounds in Dubai were the perfect tune up for a tilt at a fifth title at this week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The World Number Two held the 18-hole lead on his first start of the year and briefly sat in that five-way tie at the top during the final stretch on Sunday.

He eventually finished two shots behind Elvira at eight under for a share of third, which extended his extraordinary record in the United Arab Emirates to seven victories, eight runner-up finishes and 37 top-tens.

"I wasn't really focused on winning the tournament," McIlroy admitted.

"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."

Yang takes amateur honours

As well as the 72-hole professional event, there was a 60-player amateur event taking place with Geoff Yang taking the honours over 54 holes.

Playing alongside Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjørn Olesen on days one and two, the American carded a pair of 66s before a 64 alongside Marcus Armitage on Saturday helped hand him victory at 17 under.

"It's incredible," he said. "I haven't spent a lot of time in Dubai. It's only my second time. And to experience this place and on this occasion on this beautiful golf course and the tournament is exceedingly well run.

"He (Armitage) played a wonderful round, particularly good back nine.

"I was lucky I had some strokes and helped out here and there. I helped out on the front. He was basically just kind of cruising on the front but not really letting go and on the back nine I made a lot of birdies in very difficult conditions."

Young Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini remembered

A minute's silence for the victims of the Swiss bar fire in Crans-Montana during New Year's celebrations was observed during the opening round at Dubai Creek Resort.

The event was being played in remembrance of young Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, and in memory of the 40 people who tragically lost their lives on New Year’s Day.

At 13:30 local time, a timing agreed in consultation with the Galeppini family, play paused on Thursday as part of tributes for the victims.

As a mark of respect, black ribbons were available for players, caddies, and staff to wear throughout the tournament.

The loss of Emanuele, Dubai Creek Club’s incoming Under-16s Captain, and all those who died has left a profound mark on the golfing community and beyond.

The DP World Tour has a long-standing association with the Crans-Montana region through the Omega European Masters, an event staged on the schedule at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club since 1972.

Unique experience for Robinson Thompson

Brandon Robinson Thompson may not appear on the results for the Dubai Invitational but he was involved on Friday........

Opting to head out to Dubai for the opening event of the new year despite being second on the reserve list, the chances appeared slim that he’d tee it up.

But when fellow Englishman Richard Mansell retired on Thursday through injury, an opportunity arose to swap practising on the range for the course as he stepped in as a marker as part of the Pro-Am event, missing out on prize money or Race to Dubai Ranking points.

An unusual experience, but one that Robinson Thompson, who made it to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship as a rookie last year, made the most of.

“I've been a first reserve before but for a regular tournament,” he said on Friday. “It's a bit different.

“So, I’ve kind of been here onsite for a few days just in case an amateur needs a partner for the whole week.

“Super strange but grateful to be able to come out and play and meet some people.

“But, of course, just a unique situation."

Johnston chases the ace

Ryggs Johnston had the honour of recording the first hole-in-one of 2026.

The American used a six iron at the 218-yard par three for the ace in round two, and was rewarded with 1,000,000 World of Hyatt Loyalty Program Bonus Points after being the first professional to achieve the feat.

It was the fourth hole-in-one of the season.