Shugo Imahira (Photo Getty Images)

By Kent Gray
Shugo Imahira will hope to emulate another star of Asian golf when he makes his European Tour debut at Emirates Golf Club later this month.

The 27-year old Japanese professional has been unveiled among the latest batch of names set to tee it up at the 31st Omega Dubai Desert Classic, joining Norwegian star Viktor Hovland and former U.S. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel for the Jan. 23-26 event.

Haotong Li became the Desert Classic’s first Asian champion in 2018, announcing himself to the wider golfing world when he outplayed Rory McIlroy down the stretch on the Majlis to claim his second European Tour title.

Li’s previous title had been at his native Volvo China Open in 2016. Like the Chinese star then, Imahira is similarly little known outside of Japan despite climbing to as high as 31st in the world rankings on the back of four wins in the last two seasons, including two in the last three months.

“I’m excited to be coming to Dubai for the first time to make my European Tour debut,” said Imahira, who won the Japan Golf Tour money List in 2018.

“I have not played much outside of Japan, so this is a great opportunity to see how my game shapes up next to some of the world’s best players. I have also heard amazing things about this event and Dubai as a destination, so I cannot wait to experience everything later this month.”

Charl Schwartzel (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Schwartzel is looking to build some momentum after an injury-hit 2019. After struggling with a wrist injury for much of the last year, the 2011 Masters champion will look to add to South Africa’s rich heritage n the Majlis by emulating Ernie Els and Wayne Westner as Desert Classic champions and sealing what would be a 12th European Tour title to his CV. 

Hovland, meanwhile, will tee it up in Dubai after also being confirmed for the Desert Swing opener in Abu Dhabi alongside PGA Tour start Patrick Cantlay.

The 22-year old Norwegian’s aggressive approach, which yielded a record-breaking run of scoring on the US PGA Tour last year, is one of golf’s hottest prospects.

“I’ve spent the last few years playing mostly in America, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to come to Dubai,” said Hovland who shot 19 straight rounds in the 60s from June to October, posting a highest finish of fourth at the Wyndham Championship during that run.

“One of the great things since turning professional has been playing so many events and courses that I have watched growing up as a kid and the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic is no different. There have been so many iconic moments there and I can’t think of a better place to kickstart 2020 than at Emirates GC in a couple of weeks.”

Viktor Hovland (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

This year’s OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic boasts a stronger field than 12 months ago thanks to the return of defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, alongside former winners Thomas Bjørn, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Sergio Garcia, Li, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett. Multiple European Tour winners Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, plus European Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington, are also confirmed starters.

To book daily, season or Terrace Hospitality tickets, with prices starting from AED75, visit the official Omega Dubai Desert Classic website.