If you’re checking the scores to see who won at golf today, you’ve basically caught the professional tours at a chaotic, early-season crossroads. Technically, nobody has hoisted a trophy yet this Friday, January 16, 2026. However, the leaderboards in Hawaii and Dubai just underwent a massive shakeup that tells us exactly who’s in the driver's seat.
Early season golf is weird. Players are shaking off the rust. Equipment is new. And in the case of Rory McIlroy today in Dubai, things can go south remarkably fast even for the best in the world.
The Chaos in Dubai: Who’s Leading the Dubai Invitational?
Honestly, the big story today isn't just about who is winning; it’s about how Rory McIlroy managed to stay in the hunt after a round that would make most weekend hackers feel better about their own game. After leading yesterday, Rory found the water or a penalty area five separate times during his second round at Dubai Creek Resort.
He shot a 3-over 74. It was messy.
📖 Related: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Because of that stumble, the door swung wide open for his best friend, Shane Lowry, and Spain’s Nacho Elvira. Both guys carded steady 68s to take the co-lead at 5-under par.
The Dubai Invitational Top 5 (Round 2)
- T1. Shane Lowry (-5): The Irishman’s iron play was surgical today. He looked totally in control of his ball flight in the blustery conditions.
- T1. Nacho Elvira (-5): A remarkably consistent round from the Spaniard that flew under the radar while everyone was watching the Rory car crash.
- T3. Marcus Armitage (-3): "The Bullet" is hanging around just two shots back after a solid 70.
- T3. David Puig (-3): The LIV Golf star (who is playing this week on the DP World Tour) is showing why he's one of the most underrated young talents in the game.
- T3. Rory McIlroy (-3): Despite the five penalties, he’s only two back. That’s either a testament to his grit or a sign that the rest of the field struggled with the wind too.
It’s kind of wild to think that a guy can hit five balls into hazards and still be in a tie for third. But that’s the beauty of a tricky course like Dubai Creek when the wind starts whipping off the water.
Sony Open in Hawaii: Who Won at Golf Today (Round 1)?
While the sun was setting in Dubai, the PGA Tour was just getting things rolling at the Sony Open in Hawaii. This is actually the official start to the 2026 PGA Tour season because The Sentry—usually the season opener—was sadly canceled this year due to water infrastructure issues on Maui.
👉 See also: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
At Waialae Country Club, we have a familiar name at the top. Nick Taylor, the defending champion, looks like he never left. He fired a blistering 8-under 62 to grab a share of the lead.
He’s joined at the top by Kevin Roy, who probably had the round of his life. Roy went on a tear early, grabbing seven birdies in his first 11 holes.
Why Nick Taylor is the Man to Beat
Taylor has this weird, understated dominance at Waialae. He told reporters today that the course just "fits his eye," and you could see it in how he handled the par 3s. He birdied three of the four par 3s and nearly aced the fourth one.
✨ Don't miss: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
The wind stayed down for the early starters, which Taylor and Roy took full advantage of. By the time the afternoon wave hit the course, the breeze kicked up, and the scoring slowed down significantly.
Other Notable Sony Open Scores
- Ben Griffin (-7): Coming off a monster three-win season and a Ryder Cup appearance, Griffin is proving he wasn't a one-season wonder.
- Chris Gotterup (-7): The big hitter is right there in the mix.
- S.H. Kim (-6): He birdied his final three holes in the dark to jump up the leaderboard.
- Jordan Spieth (-2): Jordan being Jordan. He had six birdies and four bogeys. He also apparently changed a club in his bag (swapped a hybrid for a 3-iron) right before the round, which he thinks cost him a few strokes. Classic Spieth.
- Vijay Singh (-2): The 62-year-old Hall of Famer is still out here beating guys half his age. He had two double bogeys and still shot a 68.
What to Expect Over the Weekend
If you’re looking for who won at golf today, you really need to keep an eye on the "Irish Duel" in Dubai. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy playing together in a final group is always high-energy. Lowry hasn't won on the DP World Tour since the 2022 BMW PGA Championship, so he’s hungry.
Over in Hawaii, the focus is on whether Kevin Roy can handle the pressure of the weekend or if Nick Taylor is going to cruise to a back-to-back title. Waialae is a positional course—it’s not about distance; it’s about hitting fairways and having a hot putter.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans
- Watch the Wind: The forecast for Honolulu shows the wind picking up for Round 2. If you're betting or playing DFS, look for guys who specialize in "low-flighted" shots.
- Equipment Watch: Rory McIlroy is debuting several new TaylorMade clubs this week. His struggles today might just be a "new club" adjustment period. Don't count him out for the weekend.
- The Late-Night Hawaii Factor: If you're on the East Coast, the Sony Open leaders won't finish their rounds until well after midnight. Check the live leaderboards on the PGA Tour app around 11:00 PM EST for the most accurate "live" winner updates.
The 2026 season is officially in full swing. Whether it's the desert heat of Dubai or the tropical breezes of Oahu, the leaderboards are already telling us it's going to be a year of narrow margins and high drama.
Next Steps for You: To stay updated on the final winners this Sunday, make sure to monitor the DP World Tour live scoring for the Dubai Invitational (usually finishes around 7:00 AM EST) and the PGA Tour leaderboards for the Sony Open (finishes around 10:00 PM EST).