Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO 2026 preview, picks & analysis

Andy Sullivan and Nacho Elvira will join 2025 Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Martin Couvra in teeing it up at the Hainan Classic.

They will return to Mission Hills Haikou for what will mark the second edition of the tournament, in a field of local and international stars.

England’s Sullivan is currently riding high in the Race to Dubai after an impressive start to the season, including a runner up finish at the Dubai Desert Classic in January and the 38-year-old is excited to tee it up in Hainan again having finished 23rd in last year’s inaugural event.

"I’m really looking forward to returning to the Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO next month," said Sullivan. "I loved being part of last year’s inaugural event and am excited to once again play at a great venue in Mission Hills."

He is a four-time winner on the DP World Tour but his most recent success came way back in 2020 at the English Championship and he will not need anybody to tell him that is really not good enough for a man of his undoubted talent.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Sullivan cites Lee Westwood as his chief inspiration when he was getting into the game from a young age. He turned professional in 2011 after representing Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, where he won both his foursomes matches. He won titles across the globe in a stellar amateur career, including in Argentina, Australia and at the Scottish Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship.

He won three times during the 2015 season, twice in South Africa in the early season at the South African Open Championship and Joburg Open before adding the Portugal Masters in the autumn. Those results saw him earn a place in the European side at the 2016 EurAsia Cup and he then automatically qualified to represent his continent at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

Elvira, currently ranked 11th in the Race to Dubai, secured his third DP World Tour title at the Dubai Invitational in January and he will be hoping to add to his CV this week. "I’m excited to be coming back to China," said Elvira. "Mission Hills has fantastic courses and hopefully we can play some great golf in front of the local fans."

Couvra is a mercurial talent who has been tipped by many pundits to reach the top of the game. He was fifth here twelve months ago. The Frenchman, who enjoyed an outstanding 2025 campaign that included victory at the Turkish Airlines Open and a further six top-10 finishes, will be eager to build on his current form.

"I really enjoyed my time at Mission Hills last year, and look forward to returning for this year’s tournament," Couvra said. "Hopefully we can create some even better memories in 2026."

As well as bringing together some of the world’s top players, the Hainan Classic will showcase emerging talent from Asia - none more so than 17-year-old Yanhan Zhou and 20-year-old Wenyi Ding. The pair will be looking to do their country proud in their second appearance at Mission Hills, as fans witness the growth and breakthrough of the next generation on an international stage.

Five-time DP World Tour winner Ashun Wu adds to a strong Chinese line-up. The experienced campaigner, who has two national opens to his name, will also look to make his mark in Hainan.

This year will see the introduction of a dual-course competition, marking the first time Mission Hills Haikou’s Blackstone Course (Course 1) and the Vintage Course (Course 3) will be used simultaneously. The two courses offer distinct styles, with the Blackstone Course more challenging and testing of players’ precision, compared to the flexible layout of the Vintage Course.

This is the opening tournament of the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing, the third of five Global Swings included on the 2026 Race to Dubai.

And if anybody is looking for an extra incentive they should look back 12 months ago to when Marco Penge secured his maiden DP World Tour title after signing for a closing 67 to win the 2025 Hainan Classic by three shots.

The Englishman started the day in a share of the lead with home favourite Bowen Xiao but found himself one shot behind a charging Sean Crocker as he began the back nine on Sunday.

Penge then produced a hat-trick of birdies at the 12th, 13th and 14th to race clear of the chasing pack and wrap up victory on his 47th Tour start. The 2023 HotelPlanner Tour Number One finished the tournament on 17 under par after making a total of seven birdies and two bogeys in the final round. American Crocker finished in a tie for second alongside Norway's Kristoffer Reitan on 14 under, with Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen another shot further back. 

Penge had retained his Tour card by the skin of his teeth months earlier but would go on to secure his PGA Tour card thanks to two further successes and is now living the dream on the other side of the pond.

The event is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the China Tour.

Tournament Winners:

Last year’s inaugural event was won by Marco Penge

The Course:

Blackstone carves its way through a landscape of mature trees, thick jungle vegetation, and expansive lakes and wetlands and is not for the faint-hearted. It is a par 72 that can be stretched to 7,600 yards, while the Vintage Course, also a par 72, measures 7,331 yards.

Form Guide:

Martin Couvra has one of the best swings on the DP World Tour and can make huge numbers of birdies.

Prize Money:

The total prize fund is $2.55m, with the winner collecting 3,500 Race to Dubai points.

To Win:

Martin Couvra. Fabulous young French golfer

Each Way:

Andy Sullivan. Mercurial

Each Way:

Eugenio Chacarra. Superb short game

Five to Follow:

Martin Couvra. Destined for the top

Andy Sullivan. Can make birdies for fun

Eugenio Chacarra. Spanish star

Ashun Wu. Loves playing on home soil

Calum Hill. Having a fun time

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Yanhan Zhou. Teenage sensation

Wenyi Ding. Home hope

James Morrison. Back where he believes he still belongs

Justin Sui. Gifted young American

Oliver Lindell. Has shown some form this year