Rory McIlroy made headlines by winning the Masters this year. However, that didn’t come without a Hollywood-esque episode as he allowed his wife to punch him. Make of that what you want, but that is the reality.
Rory McIlroy is one of the most successful golfers of all time. In 2025, although there were highs and lows in terms of performance, one thing that was never low was his bank account. This year, the golfing legend once again blew everyone off the charts in the earnings column.
This article highlights the top three golfers to watch at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, one of the DP World Tour’s premier Rolex Series events. It explores Tommy Fleetwood’s return to his adopted hometown after a career-defining season, Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of a historic fifth Dallah Trophy in the 20th anniversary of his tournament debut, and Tyrrell Hatton’s title defense following a standout year for Europe in the Ryder Cup.