The 2026 professional golf season has teed off in dramatic fashion, with the world’s top players making headlines on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. As the first balls drop at Waialae Country Club for the Sony Open and at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club for the Dubai Invitational, fans are treated to a star-studded lineup, rising talents, and some intriguing storylines that promise a season packed with excitement and change.
On the DP World Tour, all eyes are on Tommy Fleetwood, who enters 2026 riding a career-high third place in the Official World Golf Ranking. The Englishman, known for his trademark consistency and steely nerves, is set to defend his Dubai Invitational crown against a field that includes Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and the surging Jayden Schaper. Fleetwood’s journey to the top has been nothing short of impressive—his first PGA TOUR win, an eighth DP World Tour victory, and a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph in 2025 have cemented his status among golf’s elite.
“I would love to,” Fleetwood said when asked about the prospect of becoming World Number One. “There is a clear gap, those two guys are definitely the best golfers in the world. I'm just one of the players in the pack behind that has some catching up to do there. But it's an amazing challenge, if you think of it like that. Starting the year in a different position than I've ever been, World Number Three, and I think that's very cool and very exciting to sort of have to think about trying to maintain the level that I've reached there, and I think that's very, very exciting.”
Fleetwood’s remarkable run has been built on a foundation of consistency that most players can only envy. Over the past five years, he’s missed just 11 cuts worldwide, collected four victories, 13 additional top-three finishes, and racked up 28 other top tens. “I've always prided myself on trying to have my game as consistent as possible,” Fleetwood explained. “The big story was that I had not won on the PGA TOUR. I managed to get that one done but I still felt like I wasn't doing anything. The question is, what was different? Like it was an amazing run of form and played great but I never felt like I was doing anything that different. I was just playing. That's the thing when you're playing really well, you're playing how you know you can play and that's the key. Like being able to do that on a consistent basis and do that more and more.”
The Dubai Invitational, now in its second staging, brings together 60 professionals and 60 amateurs in a unique pro-am format over three days, culminating in a final round where the pros battle for the title. Last time, Fleetwood edged out McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence with a clutch birdie-birdie finish, and the two will renew their rivalry this week. “I played really well here two years ago,” Fleetwood recalled. “Any time you get to test yourself against one of the greatest of all time is always a lot of fun. It's a great finish. I think it was a good reminder that anything can happen, that you just have to stick in. And winning is always cool. I had the family there. It was amazing.”
Across the globe in Hawaii, the Sony Open marks the official start of the PGA Tour season after a late schedule adjustment. Defending champion Nick Taylor headlines a field stacked with past winners like Hideki Matsuyama, Russell Henley, and JJ Spaun, alongside stars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, and Jordan Spieth. The 62-year-old Vijay Singh is making a rare appearance, utilizing his career money list exemption, while a new generation of rookies—including Korn Ferry Tour number one Johnny Keefer and Kristoffer Reitan, fresh off a Nedbank Golf Challenge win—look to make their mark.
The Sony Open’s future, however, hangs in the balance. This year marks the final edition under Sony’s sponsorship, and with rumors swirling about the Hawaii swing being dropped from the 2027 PGA Tour calendar, the event carries an air of uncertainty. Reports suggest the Tour may shift to a post-Super Bowl start, leaving Waialae’s cherished tournament at risk. For now, though, the spirit remains high as players and fans soak in what could be a farewell to a beloved tradition.
Meanwhile, the DP World Tour is gearing up for another blockbuster event: the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, set for January 29 to February 1. Masters champion Sergio Garcia headlines a field featuring multiple major winner Pádraig Harrington, past Bahrain champion Dylan Frittelli, and a host of Olympic golfers, including Matteo Manassero, Guido Migliozzi, Thomas Detry, Ashun Wu, Bernd Wiesberger, Rafa Cabrera Bello, and Antoine Rozner. The tournament, now in its third year, has become a cornerstone of Bahrain’s emergence as a global sports destination. Last year, it injected over $10.5 million into the local economy and was broadcast to more than 170 countries, reaching over 537 million households.
“This event highlights Bahrain’s commitment to promoting sports excellence and reflects our vision of engaging our community,” said His Excellency Faris Al-Kooheji, Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. “The tournament provides an opportunity to create meaningful experiences for local and international golfers, while shining on a global stage.”
The championship will also feature three Bahraini amateurs—Ahmed Alzayed, Khalifa Almaraisi, and Ali Mohamed Alkowari—who earned their spots through national qualifying events. Captain Waleed from the Royal Golf Club expressed his pride: “We’re delighted to host such a prestigious tournament with a world-class field and local emerging talent at Royal Golf Club. We have received outstanding feedback from players and visitors, and we are excited to build on that momentum this year and into the future.”
In line with global trends, this year’s Bahrain Championship is pioneering environmental initiatives, including powering hospitality units with solar energy and batteries. Mark Thomas, Group CEO of Bapco Energies, highlighted the event’s sustainable focus: “As we bring world-class sporting experiences to our community, we are also proud to work with our partners to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, making sustainability a core part of this event’s legacy.”
Elsewhere in the world of golf, Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has been confirmed, thanks to the new Returning Member Program. However, other LIV Golf stars like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith have opted to remain with LIV. Kevin Na has departed the PIF-backed circuit, prompting a rebranding of Iron Heads GC to Korean GC, while Stinger GC now becomes Southern Guards GC, reflecting a renewed commitment to South African heritage.
As the season unfolds, fans can look forward to the Latin America Amateur Championship in Peru, where the winner will earn coveted spots in the 2026 Masters, The Open, and the US Open. With new equipment launches, sponsorships, and team shake-ups, the world of golf is buzzing with anticipation.
With the world’s best players teeing it up from Hawaii to the Middle East, and fresh faces eager to stake their claim, the 2026 golf season is off to a roaring start—one that promises drama, innovation, and plenty of unforgettable moments on and off the fairways.
