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Elvira Capitalizes on Final-Hole Mistakes to Win Dubai Invitational
Nacho Elvira claimed a dramatic victory at the Dubai Invitational on Sunday, taking advantage of late errors by Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry to secure a one-shot win — his third European Tour title.
Starting the day with the lead, the 190th-ranked Spaniard navigated a rollercoaster round, posting a final-round 69 to finish 10 under par. While Elvira stayed out of trouble on the 18th, both McIlroy and Lowry faltered: Lowry found a bunker and then water, making a double-bogey, while McIlroy’s tee shot on the final hole landed in the rough, leaving him unable to recover.
New Zealander Daniel Hillier finished alone in second on 9 under, while McIlroy and Lowry tied for third.
Elvira, 38, celebrated on the green with his wife and children, calling the victory “a dream come true.” “Anything that happens after this, nothing can compare,” he said.
The final round saw intense competition, with five players tied at 9 under heading into the last holes. Lowry had briefly taken the lead with a birdie at 15, but Elvira’s steady play under pressure ultimately secured the win.
McIlroy, fresh off completing a career Grand Slam at the Masters last year, reflected positively on the week despite missing out on the title. “Overall it was a good first week back… I felt like I learned a lot about my game,” he said.
The Dubai Invitational marked an eventful start to 2026, with Elvira emerging victorious amid a dramatic finish.
