Shane Lowry suffers last-hole “disaster” to lose the Dubai Invitational

Spain’s Nacho Elvira wins the first DP World Tour title of 2026 after Lowry and Rory McIlroy make a mess of the 72nd hole

Shane Lowry suffered a double bogey “disaster” at the final hole of Dubai Invitational to stretch his solo title dry spell in the desert.

The Ryder Cup star, who last won on the DP World Tour at the 2022 BMW PGA, held a one-shot lead on the 72nd tee.

But after finding a greenside bunker from 139 yards, the Irishman’s sand shot ran back across the putting surface and into the water on his way to a double-bogey six. He was in Dubai Creek without a paddle.

Rory McIlroy also bogeyed the same hole to see overnight leader Nacho Elvira win the first DP World title of the year by one shot from Kiwi Dan Hillier.

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Lowry and McIlroy finished in a four-way tie for third place on eight-under par.

The 2019 Open champion, who sealed the half point to retain the Ryder Cup last September, said: “That was a disaster, that’s what that was. What can you do? You have to just learn from it and move on, lads. This game is nuts.

“I’ve just started my 18th season on tour and I’ll never figure it out. I tried my best, did everything I could and hit the wrong club up the last. And that cost me a play-off. I was just trying to hit a soft 9-iron. If you hit a wedge at the flag and it comes out a little soft, it goes right into the water.

“In hindsight, I probably would have been better doing that because you get it up and down from there. But the bunker shot was a bit shocking. If I hit a shocking shot like this, it’s not good enough.”

Lowry, who finished with a 69, added: “I should be winning. But I didn’t and I’ll lick my wounds and move on and get going for next week.

“This is going to hurt for a day or two. I haven’t won in a few years. It’s hard to get over the line. I know this is not the biggest tournament in the world. But you’ve still got to beat Rory McIlroy down the stretch. I did that. I just gave it to Nacho at the end. It’s a bit of a disaster.”

World No.190 Elvira had started the final day with a two-shot lead and led by three before back-to-back bogeys at the turn. McIlroy then got hot in the January sun and equalled his career-best streak of five straight birdies – and saw his putt at 14 stop an inch short – to join a five-way logjam at the top of the leaderboard which also included Marcus Armitage (71).

The Masters champion failed to get up-and-down from the same greenside bunker as his pal Lowry at the last and carded a 68.

But the world No.2, who has had his share of on-course heartbreaks over the years, will quickly get over this latest near miss before this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the first Rolex event of the year.

“I wasn’t really focused on winning the tournament,” he said. “This was always a week to just get back at it and sort of get ready for next week.

“I saw some decent signs out there. I feel like I still need to sharpen up the game a little bit if I want to contend next week.

“ I don’t want to say practice, because that sort of belittles what we’re trying to do. But it’s more you’re preparing for the big part of the season, I guess, from April through to July. You’re just really trying to see where your game’s at and just trying to make little adjustments and tweaks here and there when you need to.”

Elvira, who won his third DP World Tour event with a closing 69, said: “It’s a dream come true, especially having my kids here. I always dreamed of having my kids walking up to me on the green as I win.”