If you’re checking the scores to see who's winning the golf tournament today, you've probably noticed that the early 2026 season is already throwing curveballs. It's Wednesday, January 14, and while the PGA Tour pros are mostly just landing in Honolulu and shaking off the jet lag, the DP World Tour is already deep in the desert heat.
Right now, the eyes of the golf world are fixed on the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. This isn't just another stop on the schedule. It’s a massive Rolex Series event with a $9 million purse, and the leaderboard is currently looking like a "who’s who" of international stars.
Tyrrell Hatton and the Desert Duel
Tyrrell Hatton is currently leading the charge. Honestly, it's not a huge surprise if you've been following his recent form, but the way he's doing it is vintage Hatton. He’s sitting at 15-under par after finishing his round at the Emirates Golf Club. He managed to card a 3-under 69 today to maintain a narrow one-shot lead.
What’s interesting about Hatton is that he doesn't just play golf; he battles it. You can see the intensity on every approach shot. He’s the defending champion for a reason. He knows these greens like the back of his hand, and he’s putting with a level of confidence that makes the rest of the field nervous.
But he’s not running away with it. Not even close. Daniel Hillier is right there, breathing down his neck at 14-under. Hillier had a slightly quieter day, finishing 1-under, which allowed the gap to shrink. Then you have Laurie Canter at 13-under, and the name everyone is watching: Rory McIlroy.
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McIlroy is tied for fourth at 12-under. He posted a 6-under today. Six under! That’s a statement round. When Rory finds that rhythm where the driver is straight and the putter is warm, he’s basically playing a different game than everyone else. He’s lurking, and with 18 holes to go, a three-shot deficit is nothing for him in Dubai.
Why the Sony Open Leaderboard is Still Empty
You might be searching for the Sony Open leaderboard and coming up empty. There's a simple reason for that: it hasn't started yet.
The PGA Tour's first full-field event of 2026 kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, at Waialae Country Club. Right now, the players are out for their final practice rounds and the Wednesday Pro-Am.
What to expect at Waialae
- The Course: It's a classic par-70 layout. It isn't long by modern standards, but it's tight. If the wind picks up off the Pacific, it gets nasty.
- The Defending Champ: Nick Taylor is the man to beat here. He’s spent the last few days trying to figure out the grain on these bermudagrass greens again.
- The Favorites: Look out for Sahith Theeghala and Russell Henley. Henley, in particular, has a history of tearing this place apart.
There’s a bit of a somber mood in Hawaii this week, though. There is a lot of chatter among the players and caddies that this might be the last time the PGA Tour visits the islands for a while. The Sentry at Kapalua was already canceled for 2026, and Sony’s sponsorship deal is up after this week. If you're a fan of those late-night broadcasts with palm trees in the background, enjoy it while you can.
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The LPGA's Historic Week at Pebble Beach
While the men are in the desert and the tropics, the women are making history at Pebble Beach. It's not an official tour event yet—the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions doesn't start until January 29—but the LPGA Foundation is hosting its 75th Anniversary Pro-Am right now.
This is a big deal. They are celebrating 75 years of the organization, which started back in 1950. Legends of the game like Annika Sörenstam are out there playing alongside current stars. They are aiming to raise millions for the LPGA Foundation, and playing at a venue like Pebble Beach just adds that extra layer of prestige.
It’s less about who's winning a trophy today and more about the "Founders Society" partners like Chevron and the USGA putting up $1 million each to secure the next 75 years of women's golf. It's cool to see the game's past and future mixing on the 18th fairway.
The Taiwan Foxconn Ladies Open
Over in Asia, the 2026 Taiwan Foxconn Ladies Golf Tournament is making waves. This is a co-sanctioned event between the TLPGA and the JLPGA. It’s got a massive $2 million purse, which is record-breaking for this circuit.
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The scores coming out of Taiwan are consistently low. The level of play on the JLPGA has skyrocketed over the last few years, and seeing these players compete for that kind of money in Taipei shows just how global the game has become. If you want to know who's winning the golf tournament today on the women's side, keep an eye on the leaders coming out of the Orient Golf & Country Club tonight as their final rounds wrap up.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch Tomorrow
Once the sun sets in Dubai and the practice rounds finish in Hawaii, the real madness starts.
If you're betting or just following for fun, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic final round is the priority tomorrow morning. Tyrrell Hatton has the lead, but Rory McIlroy is the momentum play. If Rory opens with two birdies, the pressure on Hatton will be immense.
On the PGA Tour side, the first round of the Sony Open will dominate the afternoon and evening. Watch the early starters. Usually, the wind is calmer in the morning at Waialae, so someone like Brian Harman or Hideki Matsuyama could post a 63 or 64 early and force the afternoon wave to chase.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans:
- Check the Dubai Weather: If the wind kicks up at Emirates GC tomorrow, expect the lead to stay around 15-under or 16-under. If it's calm, someone might need 20-under to win.
- Monitor the Sony Open Tee Times: Waialae rewards ball-strikers who can work the ball both ways. Look for players who rank high in "Strokes Gained: Approach" rather than just the big hitters.
- Watch the LPGA Schedule: Don't forget that the official season starts in Orlando in two weeks. Use this gap to see which players have changed equipment or coaches during the short off-season.
The leaderboard is shifting fast. Hatton is the man of the hour, but in golf, a one-shot lead is basically a tie. Stay tuned.