DP World Tour: Wind challenges field and Lowry ascends to the top

Shane Lowry during round two of the DUBAI Invitational / credit: Getty Images

16 January 2026; Dubai, UAE: Shane Lowry and Nacho Elvira both produced brilliant rounds of 68 in windy conditions to share a two-shot lead at the 2026 Dubai Invitational.

Irishman Lowry began the day three shots behind good friend and Grand Slam champion Rory McIlroy, but some stunning iron play and clutch putting saw him overhaul his playing partner.

The Major champion is aiming to secure his first DP World Tour title since winning the 2022 BMW PGA Championship and he showcased his quality with five birdies and two bogeys to get to five under for his first two days' work. "Yeah, very happy. It was hard. It was tricky. You know, like that putt on the last hole, you don't hole a lot of putts like that, and I did well. I did a good job. A couple sloppy mistakes on the front nine, but I was playing good and giving myself chances.

Just had a great day out there. I really enjoyed it. I had a great group. Two great amateurs, and yeah, it was -- playing golf in a good frame of mind makes it a little bit easier. That's sort of a little lesson for me for the rest season. If I play golf like that for the rest season in that frame of mind, I'll be pretty good.

It's great. You might have the best Pro-Am in the world. Although it's a bit windy, it's better weather than Dunhill and less stressful than Pebble Beach. Lovely to be out there with a few friends and enjoy my golf.

First tournament of the year you don't know what to expect. So going out there in the last group now on Saturday is nice, and yeah, keep it going and we'll see what happens."

Spaniard Elvira surged into contention thanks to four birdies in his final six holes for a matching 68 - the best rounds of the day.

England’s Marcus Armitage and Spain's David Puig were tied for third at three under, while McIlroy, Thriston Lawrence, Antoine Rozner and Angel Ayora were one shot further back at two under. McIlroy had a turbulent round, finding the water four times on his way to a score of 74, an 18-holes which featured 5 bogeys in a day which was drastically different from the first round. Fife' Connor Syme and Calum Hill both also shot 74 to fall to 1-under-par and level par respectively. Remarkably, for a Middle East event in the desert, there are only 14 players under par for the first two rounds at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.

American Ryggs Johnston recorded the first hole-in-one of 2026 when his aced the 218-yard par-three eighth with a six iron.

Report courtesy DP World Tour