Nexo Championship 2026 preview picks analysis

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed returns to action at this week’s Nexo Championship, the first of a run of tournaments during which he will be looking to strengthen his position.

The American, having won twice this year along with a runner-up finish, will be aiming to add to his haul at Trump International Golf Links.

It will mark a Nexo Championship debut for the 2018 Masters champion, who claimed his first Rolex Series title at the Dubai Desert Classic in January, before following it up with a second-place finish at the Bahrain Championship and victory at the Qatar Masters in the two weeks that followed.

The 36-year-old has since recorded a further four finishes inside the top 15, including a share of 13th place at the Scottish Open.

"I’m looking forward to getting back to Scotland and playing my first Nexo Championship," said Reed. "The Scottish fans always make for a great atmosphere. It will be exciting to play a quality course in Trump International Golf Links for the first time, and experience all that this event has to offer."

Trump International Scotland

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Reed will join defending champion Grant Forrest, three-time DP World Tour winner Ewen Ferguson and local boy David Law in the field for the concluding event of the DP World Tour’s Closing Swing, the fifth and final Global Swing on the 2026 Race to Dubai.

This year’s edition will also include the inaugural Nexo Championship Celebrity Pro-Am, to be played on Wednesday August 19, with a host of Scottish sporting stars across football, rugby and tennis already confirmed to take part.

Forrest, who prevailed last summer with a four-stroke victory over England’s Joe Dean, will tee it up again on home soil when Trump International Golf Links hosts the tournament for a second time.

The 33-year-old will be joined by compatriots Ferguson and Law for the third edition of the Nexo Championship. Forrest has enjoyed much success in his homeland, becoming the first Scotsman to win at home in nearly a decade when he claimed the 2021 Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews, before once again delighting local fans with his victory last year.

"This tournament is one that means a lot to me. To win last year in front of a home crowd was really special, and I’m excited to defend my title in a couple of months’ time," said Forrest. "It’s always an honour to play in Scotland, and I look forward to what I’m sure will be another great week."

Three-time DP World Tour winner Ferguson will be hoping to capitalise on his consistent form when he returns to the links. The 30-year-old has registered four top-ten finishes so far this season and currently sits 49th on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World, with success in Scotland in his sights. "There’s no better feeling than playing at home, in front of the Scottish fans," said Ferguson. "It’s going to be an exciting tournament, with plenty of action on and off the course. Hopefully we can play some great golf to make it even better."

Law will be equally keen to impress in front of his home crowd. The 35-year-old, who claimed his maiden HotelPlanner Tour victory at the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge in 2018, will be searching for his second DP World Tour title, and first since 2019, when he tees it up in Balmedie.

"The support we receive from our home fans is unmatched, and I have no doubt they will show up in numbers this August, for another great event," said Law. "It would be pretty special to lift the trophy, just down the road from where I grew up, so I’m looking forward to giving it my best shot."

The event returned to the DP World Tour’s schedule in 2025 following a five-year hiatus, with Nexo, the premier digital assets wealth platform, reinforcing its broader mission of supporting historically significant events by signing on as title partner.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2020 by Spain’s Adrian Otaegui and was not played again until 2025, when it was won by Grant Forrest.

The Course:

Trump International is a modern links course, featuring lots of dunes, rolling fairways, well-placed bunkers and some fierce rough. It is a par 72 measuring 7,428 yards.

Form Guide:

Patrick Reed has been in a class of his own and leads the Race to Dubai despite played a pretty restricted schedule.

Prize Money:

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

How to Watch:

Thursday, August 20, Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm; Friday, August 21, Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm; Saturday, August 22, Sky Sports Golf, 12.30pm; Sunday, August 23, Sky Sports Golf, midday.