Nacho Elvira, now a three-time DP World Tour winner after his victory at the 2026 Dubai Invitational, began his golfing journey on the HotelPlanner Tour 14 years ago.
The Spaniard is the latest alumni to triumph on Golf’s Global Tour after a birdie-par finish at Dubai Creek Resort saw him seal a one-stroke victory over New Zealander Daniel Hillier, who had earlier set the clubhouse lead at nine under par. The 38-year-old’s latest DP World Tour victory is another highlight of a career which sparked into life during the 2015 HotelPlanner Tour season.
Having earned promotion in 2013 following a breakthrough victory at the Foshan Open, Elvira returned to the HotelPlanner Tour a year later after a solitary campaign on Golf’s Global Tour. The Spaniard wasted no time in securing his DP World Tour return though, recording three victories in as many months on the HotelPlanner Tour.
A five under par closing round of 67 at the Challenge de Madrid sealed Elvira’s first victory of the year before a birdie on the 72nd hole at the Kärnten Golf Open presented by Mazda made it two wins in under a month for the Spaniard. Just two months later, in July, Elvira claimed a two-stroke victory at the Rolex Trophy to ensure an immediate return to the DP World Tour.
Having held status at the top level of European golf for six years, the 38-year-old won for the first time at that level at the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale, where he beat South African Justin Harding in a play-off at Celtic Manor Resort. Three years later, at the 2024 Soudal Open, a four-round total of 18 under par saw Elvira win on the DP World Tour for a second time, helping him finish the year 38th on the season-long Race to Dubai Rankings.
Now, following his latest victory in Dubai, the Spaniard sits fourth on the Race to Dubai Rankings with fellow alumni Jayden Schaper leading the way following back-to-back play-off victories at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
