The first event on the DP World Tour’s International Swing is underway. Set at Dubai Creek Resort from January 15–18, 2026, the Dubai Invitational 2026 features many elites competing to top the leaderboard. But if two or more of them end up in a tie after the four regulation rounds, it will trigger a playoff.

Dubai Invitational 2026 field and event format

The 2026 Dubai Invitational field has an OWGR field rating of 108.13130. It features many top golfers on the European circuit, including Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Reed, Tom McKibbin, and others. A total of 60 golfers are competing in this no-cut event. Thus, anyone who tees up is certain to play through the weekend, unless a golfer withdraws. The competition follows a 72-hole stroke play structure with fixed twosomes in rounds one and two, starting from both the first and tenth tees.

If a single leaderboard topper emerges at the end of the 72nd hole, the player will win the event. But in case there are two or more people with the lowest score after the regulatory rounds, it a sudden-death playoff will be triggered.

Dubai Invitational 2026 playoff format

The playoff format at the Dubai Invitational 2026 adds a sharp edge to an event already packed with star power and early-season stakes. If players finish tied after 72 holes, a sudden-death playoff begins on the 18th hole and repeats until one golfer posts the lowest score. There’s $2,750,000 up for grabs for the participants. The winner gets the biggest chunk, $465,000, which is the standard 17% for any DP World Tour co-sanctioned event. The runner-up gets $275,000, while the third position finisher receives $158,000.

Besides that, there are also 3,500 Race to Dubai points and the aforementioned OWGR points. 585 Race to Dubai points and around 28 OWGR points are awarded to the leader. The winner also secures a two-season tour exemption, 500 Race to Dubai points, and valuable world ranking credits.

Currently, Nacho Elvira leads with a score of 10 under par. Following him is Daniel Hiller, and right behind him are Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, David Puig, and Julien Guerrier. The only thing that could go wrong at the moment is if Nacho Elvira ends up making a bogey or double bogey. If he manages an at-par finish on the 72nd hole, he will be the crowned Dubai Invitational 2026 champion.