Fleetwood, Hatton, Hovland, Lowry & McIlroy are being summoned to the Majlis
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has never been short on star power, and this year’s edition is shaping up as one of the most enthralling in recent memory.
When the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of the year tees off at Emirates Golf Club from January 22 to 25, it will do so with a field that reflects both the tournament’s deep history and the current strength of the global game.
World Number Two Rory McIlroy’s return once again provides the spotlight. The four-time Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion will mark 20 years since he first played the tournament as an amateur back in 2006, a milestone that mirrors just how closely his career has been intertwined with this event. McIlroy’s first professional victory came on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club in 2009, and subsequent wins in 2015, 2023 and 2024 have turned Dubai into one of the most significant stops of his season.
“I came to the Desert Classic as a teenager, following Tiger and soaking it all in,” McIlroy said. “To later debut here and win it four times shows how much this tournament has been part of my journey from the very start.”
Now chasing a record fifth Dallah Trophy, the World Number Two spoke openly about what the week still means to him. “The support in Dubai has been incredible from the start, which is why this event means so much to me,” he added. “Having the chance to chase a fifth win in 2026 is hugely exciting and motivating.”
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton arrives with confidence after a 2025 season that strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s most dependable performers. His one-shot victory at Emirates Golf Club last year set the tone for a memorable year for the Englishman that included major championship contention and a pivotal role in Europe’s Ryder Cup success at Bethpage Black in September.
“I’m delighted to be heading back to Emirates Golf Club to defend my title,” Hatton said. “It’s a golf course that has really suited my game over the years, and the week at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic back in January was incredibly special for me.
“It’s always good to go back to a place where you’ve won before, and I’m really excited to have a chance to contend for the title again.”
Hatton will once again be joined by Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood, whose connection to the tournament runs just as deep. The Englishman will be making his 15th consecutive appearance in the tournament, continuing on a streak that stretches back to his first season as a professional. Fleetwood returns after a landmark year that included the PGA Tour’s FedExCup title and another shining role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory.
“It’s been an incredible year, winning the FedExCup and being part of that special Ryder Cup victory for Europe,” Fleetwood said. “I always enjoy starting my season in Dubai and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has become a tournament that I love.
“I’m looking forward to teeing it up close to home in front of friends and family once again and trying to get my hands on that famous Dallah Trophy.”
The European Ryder Cup vibe runs deep throughout the field. Norway’s Viktor Hovland and Ireland’s Shane Lowry both return to a tournament that has played host to key moments in their careers. Hovland, the 2022 champion, rediscovered his winning form last season with his 11th professional title as the 28-year-old returns to fond memories of the Majlis course.
“Winning here in 2022 was really cool, and it’s always a great place to start the year,” Hovland said. “The tournament is one of the highlights of the season – great golf course, great weather, and I’m looking forward to competing for the Dallah trophy again.”
Lowry, making his 10th appearance and his first since 2023, arrives fresh from one of the defining moments of his career, having holed the decisive putt that ensured Europe retained the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
“There were some incredible moments in 2025, particularly at Bethpage Black,” Lowry said. “Now I’m looking forward to getting 2026 off to a positive start by returning to Dubai for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
“I’ve played this tournament many times over the years, and I always love being back at Emirates Golf Club. It’s a fantastic way to start the year.”
Adding further intrigue is the debut of Dustin Johnson. The two-time major champion and former World Number One will play the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the first time, drawn by the event’s history and reputation.
“When you look at past champions like Seve, Tiger and Rory, you know it’s a really prestigious tournament with incredible history,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to compete for the Dallah Trophy and be part of what is always a world-class field.”
The field will also be bolstered by some of the games biggest and brightest stars including Ryan Fox, Padraig Harrington, Tom McKibbin and Joaquin Niemann.
The tournament also continues its tradition of offering opportunities to the next generation. University of Texas senior Christiaan Maas, ranked No. 2 in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2026, has earned an exemption, following in the footsteps of recent graduates who used Dubai as a launchpad to professional success.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic continues to remain a leader in sustainability and player wellbeing. GEO-certified for a third straight year, the event will again feature its Mental Fitness Zone, alongside a growing emphasis on greener transport options for fans.
With a field this stacked with pedigree, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic once again looks set to deliver a week worthy of its status as the Middle East’s flagship golf event.
Follow Golf Digest Middle East on social media
Main Image: Getty Images
