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The Dubai Invitational Predictions - Top contenders for victory at Dubai Creek Resort

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 12 Jan 2026

Brad Newcomb 12 Jan 2026

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The Dubai Invitational takes place between 15-18 January
The tournament takes place at the Dubai Creek Resort, Dubai, UAE
Shane Lowry, Nicolai Hojgaard, Angel Ayora, & Daniel Hillier are key contenders.

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Shane Lowry has been in solid form in recent outings (Getty Images)

The Dubai Invitational returns to the DP World Tour schedule after a year's hiatus, where a stellar line-up will battle for top honours at the Dubai Creek Resort this weekend. Who will emerge victorious come Sunday?

Tommy Fleetwood is back to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Thriston Lawrence and Rory McIlroy in 2024.

Past and present Major winners that will tee off on Thursday include Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington, and Danny Willett.

These are our four selections that could win the title this weekend.

Shane Lowry

Shane Lowry was in decent nick on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour during the later stages of last year, placing T23 at the BMW Championship, T13 at the Tour Championship, T15 at the Amgen Irish Open, T46 at the BMW PGA Championship, MC at the Open de Espna, T3 at the World India Championship, T12 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and T11 at the DP World Tour Championship.

Other prominent performances achieved by Lowry this season include a 2nd at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a T11 at the Cognizant Classic, a 7th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a T20 at the Players Championship, a T8 at the Valspar Championship, T42 at the Masters, a T18 at the RBC Heritage, a T12 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T2 at the Truist Championship, and a T23 at the Memorial Tournament.

The former Open Champion will make his debut at the 2026 Dubai Invitational.

Lowry has threatened to put in a winning performance lately and could make the frame in Dubai.

Nicolai Hojgaard

Nicolai Hojgaard has been thereabouts on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour lately, placing T14 at the Baycurrent Classic, T3 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and T11 at the DP World Tour Championship.

Other noteworthy results achieved by Hojgaard last season include a T24 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, an 8th at the Mexico Open, a T18 at the Cognizant Classic, a 2nd at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T24 at the Rocket Classic, a T4 at the Genesis Scottish Open, a T14 at the Open Championship, and a T2 at the Betfred British Masters.

The three-time DP World Tour winner placed T25 overall at the 2024 Dubai Invitational on debut.

Nicolai Hojgaard has been playing well in recent outings and will fancy his chances of winning in the UAE this weekend.

Angel Ayora

Angel Ayora was in excellent touch during the final months of last year on the DP World Tour, placing T5 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T9 at the Open de Espana, MC at the DP World India Championship, T7 at the Genesis Championship, T9 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, T8 at the DP World Tour Championship., T46 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, and T21 at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

Other notable results achieved by Ayora last year include a T14 at the Qatar Masters, a T20 at the Magical Kenya Open, a T11 at the Soudal Open, a T19 at the KLM Open, a T7 at the Italian Open, a T13 at the Betfred British Masters, a T8 at the Omega European Masters, and a T5 at the Amgen Irish Open.

The young Spaniard will make his debut at the 2026 Dubai Invitational.

Ayora has been holding form and will be challenging for the trophy at the Dubai Creek Resort this weekend.

Daniel Hillier

Daniel Hillier produced a solid run of results during the latter half of last year on the DP World Tour, placing T23 at the Open de España, T9 at the DP World India Championship, T38 at the Genesis Championship, T5 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, T16 at the DP World Tour Championship, T5 at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, and T6 at the Crown Australian Open.

Additional highlights achieved by Hillier last year include a T24 at the Bahrain Championship, a T25 at the Qatar Masters, a T12 at the New Zealand Open, a T9 at the Hainan Classic, and a T26 at the KLM Open.

The New Zealander finished T36 overall at the 2024 Dubai Invitational on debut.

Hillier has shown improvement in the past three months and could upstage the others in the UAE this weekend.

Verdict

Dubai Invitational

Lowry is no stranger to winning on the DP World Tour and has the form to lift another trophy come Sunday.

Nicolai Hojgaard has done nothing wrong lately and will aim to start his season with a victory.

Ayora has been knocking hard and can make the frame on the Dubai Creek Resort golf course this weekend.

Hillier could cause an upset in Dubai, as he has been in solid form lately.

Shane Lowry

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