Nacho Elvira said no other achievement in his career will compare after capitalising on late slip-ups from Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy to win the Dubai Invitational title.

Elvira, who is ranked 190th in the world, took a two-stroke lead into Sunday's finale at the Dubai Creek Resort and held his nerve when those around him faltered.

McIlroy was six shots off the lead going into the final round but stormed back into contention, helped by a run of five birdies in as many holes.

Last year's Masters champion even took a share of the lead after Elvira posted back-to-back bogeys on holes eight and nine.

McIlroy's close friend Lowry then took the lead outright, but on the final hole, he picked out the greenside bunker and then saw his subsequent shot from the sand drop into the water, recording a double bogey.

McIlroy also drove into the rough on the 18th hole and ultimately bogeyed, while Elvira made par to secure his third victory on the European Tour.

"It means the world," the Spaniard said afterwards. "If you told me on Tuesday, I would be winning this... I'd never believe you.

"Anything that happens after this, nothing can compare."

Some pars are bigger than others, but this from Nacho Elvira at the 10th could be the best he makes all year.

Standing on the 8th tee, Nacho had a three shot lead at Dubai Creek. He went onto make back-to-back bogeys and shared the lead with Marcus Armitage.

He then saved par… pic.twitter.com/ToPlHySqJP

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 18, 2026

Lowry and McIlroy ultimately shared third place with Julien Guerrier and David Puig, finishing two shots behind Elvira at eight-under for the week. 

Daniel Hillier ended up in second, with a stunning six-under final round propelling him past the rest of the chasing pack.