Nacho Elvira wins at Dubai, Rory McIlroy ties for third

Nacho Elvira wins at Dubai, Rory McIlroy ties for third

Field Level Media
18 Jan 2026, 21:10 GMT+

(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Nacho Elvira claimed his third DP World Tour title Sunday with a one-stroke victory at the Dubai Invitational.

The 38-year-old Spaniard co-led after the second round and was ahead by two strokes after the third. He finished with a 69 to get to 10-under par.

'It means the world,' Elvira said. 'You tell me on Tuesday I would be winning this, I'd never believe you. Anything that happens after this, nothing can compare.'

New Zealand's Daniel Hillier seized solo second place at 9-under with a sizzling 6-under 65 at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (68 on Sunday) and Ireland's Shane Lowry (69) faltered at the 18th and tied for third with France's Julien Guerrier (66) and Spain's Daid Puig (67).

Lowry made a double-bogey at the par-4 finishing hole after finding a bunker from the fairway and finding water from the sand. McIlroy, the World No. 2, drove his tee shot into the rough before finding a bunker and carding a bogey.

Elvira's previous wins on the European tour came at the Cazoo Open in 2021 and the Soudal Open in 2024.

--Field Level Media

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