Nicolai Højgaard will return to Dubai just two months on from winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship for the inaugural staging of the Dubai Invitational from January 11-14, 2024.

The 22-year-old won his maiden Rolex Series title at the Race to Dubai Championship in November, by birdieing five of his last six holes to claim the biggest victory of his career, and he will return to the Emirate for the new four-day event at Dubai Creek Resort.

The Dubai Invitational will see a 72-hole strokeplay DP World Tour tournament played concurrently with a three-day Pro-Am team event, with Sunday featuring professionals only as Nicolai will join reigning Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy in the field for the first event of 2024.

The Dane’s triumph at Jumeirah Golf Estates brought a memorable 2023 season to an end, which included victories as part of Continental Europe in the inaugural Hero Cup and Team Europe in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone, as well as earning PGA TOUR playing privileges for 2024 via the FedEx Cup.

The 2023 Ryder Cup rookie already has a victory in the United Arab Emirates with the 2022 Ras Al Khaimah Championship at Al Hamra Golf Club in his trophy cabinet.

“I love playing golf in the UAE and it’s the perfect place to start the year after the winter break,” Højgaard said. “The conditions and the setup of the golf courses clearly suit my game and I always feel confident playing in Dubai, and with the pro-am format it adds a different dimension to the event, which I think is really exciting. It should be a great week and I can’t wait to get to Dubai Creek Resort in January.”

Tournament host Abdulla Al Naboodah added: “I’m delighted Nicolai has confirmed to play. He’s had an incredible few weeks during and since the Ryder Cup. He won the RAK Championship which Phoenix Capital supported a couple of years ago, so it’s great have him in the field again in January.”

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