The DP World Tour has today announced that the inaugural Hainan Classic will take place at Mission Hills Haikou from April 24-27, 2025.
The Hainan Classic will be the second of two consecutive events in China, co-sanctioned by the China Tour, on the 2025 DP World Tour schedule following the Volvo China Open, further strengthening the Tour’s presence in the region while also marking the end of the Asian Swing, the third of five Global Swings that form the first phase of the 2025 Race to Dubai.
Mission Hills Haikou, located on the tropical island of Hainan, is one of Asia’s most prestigious golf resorts. It boasts ten championship courses, including the renowned Blackstone Course, which will play host to the Hainan Classic. The venue previously hosted the 2011 World Cup of Golf, which was won by American duo Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland.
Ben Cowen, Chief Tournament & Operations Officer at the DP World Tour, said: "We are delighted to confirm Mission Hills Haikou as the host venue for the inaugural Hainan Classic, which marks an exciting milestone in the DP World Tour’s continued commitment to China.
“As the second of back-to-back tournaments in the country, this event will play a key role in the Asian Swing on the Race to Dubai, offering players another fantastic opportunity to compete at an elite level in this region. Our thanks must go to our Strategic Alliance partners at the China Golf Association for their sanction and support of this event.
“I would also like to thank the Chu family and Mission Hills for their support in securing the venue. Mission Hills Haikou has long been a flagship venue for golf in Asia, and the Blackstone Course is a world-class test that has previously showcased some of the game’s greatest talents. We are excited to bring the DP World Tour to this outstanding resort."
Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman of Mission Hills Group, stated that as both a witness and participant in the evolution of golf in China, Mission Hills has consistently embraced its mission to advance the industry.
“The establishment of the DP World Tour in Haikou, Hainan, not only aligns with the international sports objectives of the Hainan Free Trade Port but also represents a significant milestone for Chinese golf in its integration with the global event framework. Having been entrenched in the golf industry in Hainan for over a decade, we recognise that the introduction of premier international events will offer Chinese players a platform to compete against world-class athletes, thereby accelerating the development of local talent through real competitions.
“Additionally, Hainan's distinctive tropical coastal climate and its year-round lush sports environment render it an unparalleled ‘winter training paradise’ on the global golf landscape. We extend our gratitude to the effective collaboration of the governments of Hainan Province and Haikou City, which have provided comprehensive policy and infrastructure support, showcasing the Free Trade Port's commitment to fostering international sports events.
“Mission Hills is poised to utilise its leadership role within the industry and will leverage this event as a catalyst to assist Haikou in establishing a golf ecosystem that encompasses competitive sports, grassroots engagement, and youth training initiatives through a model of ‘event platform and industry network’, thereby positioning this green sport as a prominent emblem of the Hainan Free Trade Port.”
Mr. Tian Xiaojun, Vice President of the China Golf Association, said: "The China Golf Association is very pleased that following the Volvo China Open, the DP World Tour - Hainan Classic is coming to China.
“Sports events are not only an important driving force to promote social and economic development, but also an important platform to demonstrate the country's soft power, and the holding of the Hainan Classic is a vivid practice of this concept.
“This competition not only provides the opportunity for domestic golfers to compete with the top international players, improve the level of sports competition of Chinese players, and promote the development of Chinese golf. At the same time, the event can also promote the coordinated development of sports tourism, commercial cooperation and other fields, create more economic benefits, promote the economic prosperity of sports events, and inject new vitality into the construction of China's sports power."
Known for its striking volcanic rock landscape and strategic design, Blackstone has previously staged events such as the World Ladies Championship and the biennial World Celebrity Pro-Am, the latter of which was won in 2016 by Li Haotong, who recently picked up his fourth DP World Tour title at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
The Hainan Classic is set to attract a strong international field, featuring DP World Tour winners, rising stars, and homegrown talent eager to make an impact on home soil. With two events in China back-to-back, local fans will have the opportunity to witness world-class golf as the season gathers pace on the Race to Dubai.
