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Hovland, Lowry and Johnson to play in Dubai Desert Classic
Gulf Today
|December 11, 2025
European Ryder Cup heroes Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, along with two-time major champion and former world number one Dustin Johnson, have committed to the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, taking place from January 22-25 at Emirates Golf Club.
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Hovland and Lowry will join their European Ryder Cup teammates — defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, reigning Masters Champion Rory Mcllroy and FedEx Cup Champion Tommy Fleetwood — while Johnson adds further star power as an elite field gathers for the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai.
Hovland and Lowry have been 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 Hero 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.
This story is from the December 11, 2025 edition of Gulf Today.
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