The field at the Dubai Invitational 2026 was quite strong, getting a rating of 108.13130 from the OWGR. Some of the biggest names on the European circuit were in contention. But under the floodlights at Dubai Creek, a quiet figure stood his ground amid other big names. Having waited for a stage like this for years, Nacho Elvira beat the likes of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry to win the biggest event of his career.

“I always dreamed of having my kids walking up to me on the green as I win. Whatever I do after this… nothing will compare!” the Spaniard said after winning the event.

Closing with a composed 69 to finish 12 under par, Elvira turned back a world-class field to claim the 2026 Dubai Invitational. He carded rounds of 69-68-68-69 to edge past New Zealander Daniel Hillier by a single shot. After the win, he first hugged his caddie and then another member of his team. But as soon as he saw his daughter running towards him on the 18th green, he dropped his club and picked her up. He then embraced his wife, who was holding their second child.

There was no doubt that the emotions would be extremely high for the 38-year-old Spaniard because it was the biggest win of his career, and third overall on the DP World Tour. Besides this, he has the 2021 Cazoo Open and the 2024 Soudal Open to add to his resume.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry provided much of the star power throughout the week. McIlroy was leading the scoreboard after Day 1, and Lowry shared the halfway lead with Elvira after 36 holes. Both the Northern Irishman and the Irishman were neck to neck with Elvira till the very end. There was even a possibility of a playoff at the Dubai Invitational 2026 till the very end. Both pressed on Sunday, but neither could erase Elvira’s narrow cushion as Hillier emerged as the final challenger with a late surge.

At one point, it looked like Elvira might not reach the top. He made two consecutive bogeys on holes 8 and 9. To make things worse, he hit the ball in the water on the 10th hole. But despite that, he was able to manage an amazing par 5 finish on that hole. At this time, Rory McIlroy was on a charge with five back-to-back birdies, Shane Lowry was close to Elvira, and Daniel Hillier was ahead of him. However, he held his nerve and edged past the others with a birdie on the 17th to finish on par on the 18th to win the event.

Family is always a big motivator for any golfer, and this is not the case for just Nacho Elvira. Previously, Tommy Fleetwood had revealed that the reason behind his 2025 DP World India Championship win was his son’s dream.

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Family motivates Nacho Elvira and Tommy Fleetwood alike

Nacho Elvira said that he had always dreamed of his family walking up to him on the 18th green, and the same goes for Tommy Fleetwood.

Fleetwood won the inaugural 2025 DP World India Championship at Delhi Golf Club by two shots. He carded a final-round of 65. This charge was fueled by a heartfelt wish from his eight-year-old son Frankie.

“You’ve never won a tournament where I’ve been able to run onto the 18th green,” Fleetwood said about Frankie’s wish.

Frankie conveyed this wish just a week before the India event. The moment unfolded exactly as Frankie hoped, with the boy sprinting across the green to embrace his dad. The Englishman dedicated the emotional win to his son.

Nacho Elvira and Tommy Fleetwood aren’t the only ones, though. Scottie Scheffler also prioritizes family above golf success. He has stated that he’d rather be a great father than a great golfer and would quit the sport hurt if it his family life. The same goes for Jon Rahm, too. The Spaniard has even linked family milestones to on-course breakthroughs. This includes his 2023 US Open win around his first child’s birth and a PGA Tour victory around the second’s.

Nacho Elvira’s victory was shaped by resilience under pressure and the faces waiting for him on the 18th green. Ultimately, no matter what happens on the golf course, it always comes down to family.