Shubhankar Sharma, Yuvraj Sandhu set for Dubai Desert Classic

India will have two players in the field at the 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic after Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Singh Sandhu received tournament invitations for the January 22–26 event at Emirates Golf Club.

The Indian pair are among five invitees, alongside Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann and Eddie Pepperell. It marks the first time the tournament has issued two invitations to Indian players in the same year.

Sharma will return to the Majlis Course for an eighth straight appearance. The 29-year-old is looking for a reset after losing his DP World Tour card last season before regaining playing rights through Q-School. “Receiving an invite feels great. I love this event and have played it many times. Hopefully I can make it count,” Sharma said.

For Sandhu, the start will be his Dubai Desert Classic debut. The Chandigarh pro earned his DP World Tour card after a dominant 2025 PGTI season, winning seven times to top the Order of Merit. “The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is such a special event. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

The $9 million event is headlined by Rory McIlroy, a four-time winner in Dubai (2009, 2015, 2023, 2024), and features Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Luke Donald and Viktor Hovland.

Photo – DPWT