"If you told me on Tuesday that I'd be winning this tournament I'd have never believed you.”
Nacho Elvira stood as tall as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, on Sunday at Dubai Creek Resort in Dubai, the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates.
With a birdie at the 17th hole, he closed in 2-under 69 to shoot 10-under 274 and claim his third DP World Tour title at the 2026 Dubai Invitational.
"It means the world," Elvira said. "If you told me on Tuesday that I'd be winning this tournament I'd have never believed you.”
The 38-year-old Spaniard withstood the likes of world No. 2 and reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy and 2019 British Open winner Shane Lowry. No less than five players shared the lead in the final round despite Elvira, the overnight leader, building a three-stroke lead following a birdie at No. 7.
But Elvira finished his front nine with a pair of bogeys as McIlroy, Lowry, Daniel Hillier and Marcus Armitage joined the Spaniard, who played college golf at Texas A&M, at the top of the leaderboard at 9 under down the final stretch.
The Northern Irishman McIlroy fell as many as six strokes off the pace with a couple of early dropped shots before surging into contention with five straight birdies beginning at the ninth. However, the birdies dried up and he settled for 68 and T-3 finish.
“I felt like I learned a lot of stuff about my game and hopefully I’ll be sharper next week,” he said.
Instead, Irishman Lowry pulled ahead with a birdie at 15 to reach 10 under but his second shot to 18 flew the green and he carded a stunning double bogey to lose the lead and post 69 (T-3).
New Zealand's Hillier, who eagled 13, was the clubhouse leader at nine under after a 65, but Elvira carded his first birdie of the back nine at the 17th to earn a one-shot lead down the last and calmly rolled a final par for victory.
"To be honest with you, I wasn't nervous until the very last putt, the one-footer I had for the win,” he said.
And then the Spaniard enjoyed the thrill of his kids rushing on to the green to celebrate his triumph. He picked up his young daughter and held her in his arms during his victory interview.
“I've always dreamed to have my kids walking up to me with a win and anything that happens after this, nothing compares,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Nacho Elvira holds off Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry for Dubai win
Category: General Sports
