The 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic will have a star-studded field with European Ryder Cup heroes Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, along with two-time Major champion Dustin Johnson, set to participate at Emirates Golf Club next month.
The tournament, taking place from January 22-25, had earlier seen defending champion and European Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton announce his return to the event, along with reigning Masters champion and Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy and FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood.
Former world No 1 Johnson further strengthens an elite field for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Hovland and Lowry were instrumental in Europe's recent Ryder Cup dominance, with Lowry holing the crucial putt on the 18th green that ensured Europe retained the trophy at Bethpage Black in September. The Irishman's heroics marked a career-defining moment for the 2019 Open Championship winner, who has now represented Europe at three consecutive Ryder Cups.
Lowry, who will make his 10th Dubai Desert Classic appearance, and his first since 2023, said: "There were some incredible moments in 2025, particularly at Bethpage Black, and 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."
Norwegian star Hovland, who lifted the Dallah Trophy in 2022, returned to winning ways this year with victory at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour before helping Europe to victory in New York.
"Winning here in 2022 was really cool, and it’s always a great place to start the year," said Hovland. "The tournament is one of the highlights of the season – great golf course, great weather, and I'm looking forward to competing for the trophy again."
Johnson, a two-time Major champion who claimed the 2016 US Open and the 2020 Masters, will be making his Dubai Desert Classic debut. The former world No 1 spent 135 weeks at the top of the rankings.
At the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Johnson became the first American player in over 40 years to achieve a perfect 5-0 record, earning every point available to him as the United States claimed a dominant victory.
"I'm really looking forward to playing the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the first time," said Johnson, who has won three times on the LIV Golf Tour, topping the individual standings in 2022, and is captain of the 4 Aces team, who he led to series victories in 2022 and 2023.
"I've heard great things about the event and Emirates Golf Club. When you look at past champions like Seve, Tiger and Rory, you know it's a really prestigious tournament with incredible history. I'm excited to compete for the Dallah Trophy and be part of what is always a world-class field."
Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: "To welcome three global superstars of this calibre to the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic is incredibly exciting. Viktor and Shane were heroes at Bethpage Black, while Dustin's Major championship pedigree speaks for itself.
"With this being Dustin's first professional tour event in Dubai, we're thrilled to showcase Emirates Golf Club to one of the game's biggest names. Alongside Tyrrell, Tommy and Rory, the quality and depth of our field continues to strengthen as we head into what promises to be an exceptional 37th edition."
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Dominic Rubin, Oxford
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Scotland's team:
15-Sean Maitland, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Nick Grigg, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Byron McGuigan, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price, 8-Magnus Bradbury, 7-Hamish Watson, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-Willem Nel, 2-Stuart McInally (captain), 1-Allan Dell
Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Jonny Gray, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris
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Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
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Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1
Calvin Harris
Columbia
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
