Multiple DP World Tour winners Andy Sullivan and Nacho Elvira will join 2025 Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Martin Couvra in teeing it up at the Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO from March 19-22.
Multiple DP World Tour winners Andy Sullivan and Nacho Elvira will join 2025 Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Martin Couvra in teeing it up at the Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO from March 19-22.
The talented trio 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 currently sits fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World after an impressive start to the season, including a runner up finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January. 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.”
Elvira, currently ranked ninth on the 2026 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 impressive back catalogue in March.
“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 joins the field following a fifth-place finish at last year’s event. The Frenchman, who enjoyed a standout 2025 campaign that included victory at the Turkish Airlines Open and a further six top-ten 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 presented by MAEXTRO 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.
The Hainan Classic presented by MAEXTRO 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.
The event is co-hosted by the China Golf Association and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province and is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the China Tour. The total prize fund for the event is US$2.55 million, with 3,500 Race to Dubai points on offer.
MAEXTRO, the ultra-luxury Chinese car brand, was announced as Presenting Sponsor of the tournament earlier this month.
