Last Hole Heartbreak for Lowry as Elvira Seizes Dramatic Victory
In a stunning reversal of fortune on Sunday, Shane Lowry saw a one-shot lead evaporate with a catastrophic final hole, handing the Dubai Invitational title to Spain's Nacho Elvira. The Irishman's hopes were shattered on the 18th green at the Dubai Creek Resort after finding both a bunker and the water, culminating in a tournament-losing double bogey.
A Rollercoaster Final Round
The drama unfolded on Sunday 18 January 2026, with Elvira beginning the day with a two-stroke advantage. However, the Spaniard's grip on the tournament loosened early with successive bogeys, allowing a packed leaderboard to form. Lowry, tied for second overnight, made what appeared to be the decisive move.
After a brilliant 25-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole, the 2022 BMW PGA Championship winner surged into the lead. With close friend Rory McIlroy missing a birdie chance on the 17th, the path to victory seemed clear for Lowry, who was seeking his first DP World Tour win in over three years.
The Costly Collapse on the 18th
Needing only a par on the last to secure victory, Lowry's challenge imploded. His approach shot was powerful but wayward, finding the water hazard guarding the green. After taking a penalty drop, his next shot found a greenside bunker, from where he could only scramble for a six. The resulting double bogey dropped him to nine-under par for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Elvira, who had steadied himself with a crucial birdie on the 17th, calmly parred the final hole to post a winning total of 10-under par 274. This gave him a one-shot victory over fast-finishing New Zealander Daniel Hillier, who had carded a superb six-under 65 to reach nine-under.
Elvira's Dream Triumph Amid Crowded Leaderboard
Lowry's collapse meant he finished in a tie for third at eight-under, alongside McIlroy and two other players. McIlroy had mounted a strong charge, erasing a three-shot deficit to briefly share the lead before his challenge faded. England's Marcus Armitage also held a share of the lead but fell away with bogeys and a double bogey on the last.
For Elvira, the victory was an emotional and unexpected triumph. "It means the world," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "If you had told me on Tuesday that I was going to be winning this I would never have believed you. It is a dream come true."
The result marks a significant career victory for Elvira, while for Lowry, it represents a brutal lesson in the fine margins and sudden cruelty of tournament golf, where a title can be lost in the blink of an eye.
