Rory McIlroy adds to DP World Tour schedule in Race to Dubai title record bid

It had already been announced that McIlroy, the 2023 winner, would be teeing up in the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian on 9-12 July.

It was then revealed last week that the career grand slam winner had also committed once again to playing in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on 17-20 September.

Now, McIlroy has also announced that he’ll be playing in the Amgen Irish Open the previous week at Trump International Golf Links at Doonbeg, where he will be the defending champion.

The five-time major winner claimed the Race to Dubai title for the fourth year in a row and seventh time in total last year, leaving him within touching distance of Colin Montgomerie’s record haul.

With Patrick Reed, helped by wins in both the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and Commercial Bank Qatar Masters during the circuit’s Desert Swing, setting a hot pace in this year’s points battle, McIlroy looks as though he’ll have a real fight on his hands come the Play-Offs in the UAE in November.

Patrick Reed has history in his sights

Reed spoke after his victory in Qatar about having his sights set on trying to become the first American to claim the Harry Vardon Trophy and the American is clocking up starts on the DP World Tour after ending his spell with LIV Golf.

He made his debut in South Africa in last week’s Investec South African Open Championship at Stellenbosch and is also playing in this week’s Joburg Open at Houghton Golf Club, where Calum Hill is the defending champion.

On the back of both of them also winning twice this season, young South African duo Jayden Schaper and Casey Jarvis also look as though they could figure strongly in this season’s Race to Dubai title fight.

Meanwhile, McIlroy already has something to celebrate in 2026 after teaming up with his dad Gerry to win the Seminole Pro-Member event in Florida on Monday.

The duo - regulars in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship over the years - carded a best-ball 63 to win the gross section by two shots from Rickie Fowler and former US Walker Cup captain Buddy Marucci.