DUBAI INVITATIONAL

January 18, 2026

Nacho Elvira

Dubai Creek Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. Many congratulations on what was quite the dramatic day out here in Dubai. How does it feel to be the champion?

NACHO ELVIRA: Feels unusual. I mean, I've always been a slow starter at the beginning of the season.

So, to get a win at the beginning of the season like this is unusual, and on a course like this, I love it. When we came here two years ago, I fell in love with it. I think it's a fantastic course, a fantastic venue, and I couldn't be more happy to be honest.

Q. Another brilliant start to the day. Was that the plan to go out and attack early?

NACHO ELVIRA: I've been in this position before and I feel like I've always tried to hold on to the score. And this time I knew that Shane and Rory were behind and some of the good players. I felt like I wanted to push a little bit to keep going and keep being aggressive, you know, I think I tried to do that.

And then all of a sudden I lost a little bit of way on 8 and 9. Hit a terrible shot on 10. Managed to make the putt and I think that was a turning point mentally and stayed patient through the rest of the round.

Q. How aware were you of the situation, after those two dropped shots, five-way tie for the lead?

NACHO ELVIRA: I saw it every now and then. I'm not someone who looks at the leaderboards too much. I try to stay in the moment and the present as much as I can. At one point I saw it. But I couldn't do really anything about it. I try, always, to make as many birdies as I can. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.

I'm just happy this time it turned around on my side.

Q. You mentioned the crucial birdie on 17 and coming up on 18. Seeing Shane bogey, did that change how you approached that hole?

NACHO ELVIRA: I had no idea Shane had bogeyed that hole. The leaderboards are facing the other way, so I had no idea. I tried to go for it, and I was lucky enough that I had enough club to go just a little bit past the pin. When I turned around and I knew I had two putts to win, I find of felt more nervous to be honest. It's a good position to be in but I was just a little bit nervous. But very happy.

Q. What does this do now for rest of your season?

NACHO ELVIRA: At the moment, nothing. I'm going to keep playing these next few weeks and keep trying to build on the momentum that I have right now and hopefully we can put ourselves throughout the year in more situations like this.