Jung Hwan Lee to Make His Debut in Dubai This New Year

Competing in the DP World Tour Dubai Invitational
Secured European Tour card with last year’s Genesis Championship victory
Strong performance with a tie for 23rd at last month’s Nedbank Golf Challenge

Lee Junghwan heads to Dubai.

On January 15 (local time), Lee will compete in the DP World Tour Dubai Invitational, held at Creek Resort (par 71, 7,059 yards) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament, with a total prize fund of 2.75 million dollars, will be played in a pro-am format for three days, where professional golfers team up with amateurs. On the final day, only 60 professional golfers will compete to determine the champion.

Lee Junghwan will participate in the DP World Tour Dubai Invitational. Photo by KPGA

Lee Junghwan is a leading player on the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour, with three career victories on the domestic circuit. After winning the Genesis Championship, which was co-hosted by the KPGA Tour and DP World Tour last year, he made his debut on the European stage.

This season, he has already played in three DP World Tour events. He finished 71st at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in November 2025, tied for 23rd at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in December, and tied for 68th at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. After taking a break following the Alfred Dunhill Championship last month, he is returning to the DP World Tour after a one-month hiatus.

Lee Junghwan said, "This is my first season, so I won't set my expectations too high. Just as you can't be satisfied with your first attempt, I want to perform consistently throughout the season." He added, "My biggest goal is to qualify for the PGA Tour by ranking high in the Race to Dubai standings."

Many of the world's top golfers will also participate. Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), who has achieved a career Grand Slam, defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2016 Masters winner Danny Willett (both from England), and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed (United States) are all in the field. Padraig Harrington (Ireland), a three-time major winner, is also on the entry list. The tournament will be played as a pro-am event for three days, with only 60 professional golfers competing for the title on the final day.