DUBAI INVITATIONAL

January 18, 2026

Rory McIlroy

Dubai Creek Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. Obviously looks like coming up just one or two shy of the winning total but a tremendous effort today. Started the day three behind, you were six behind after a couple of bogeys, and then you birdied 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 to get into a tie for the lead. What is going through your mind as that was unfolding?

RORY McILROY: Not much. I was just trying to sort of get the most out of what I had. Obviously as you say, I didn't get off to the greatest of starts. I hit a couple good tee shots, good iron shot into the 8th hole, a couple good shots into 9, 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.

Q. You mentioned a couple of times that you were focused on next week and deciding where your game is and what needed work on. What have you decided those areas are?

RORY McILROY: Hit a few more fairways. I don't think I'm hitting the club that badly. 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.

But yeah, 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.