Wednesday's opening round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club starts the final 2026 stop before the Road to Mallorca cut-off. The tournament runs through Saturday. The HotelPlanner Tour's official tournament guide says the top 68 in the standings after this week will advance to the two finals in China.
For the 144-player field, this is the last HotelPlanner Tour event with a route into those finals. After the two events in China, only the top 45 in the standings will earn places at the season-ending grand final on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
First comes the cut.
At the start of tournament week, Belgian James Meyer de Beco occupied the crucial 68th place in the Road to Mallorca standings. Saptak Talwar, Bradley Bawden, Joseba Torres and Mark Power were among those close to the qualification line.
A 24-country field meets in Al Ain
Players from 24 countries are competing. They represent Denmark, England, Sweden, Germany, South Africa, Scotland, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain, France, Ireland, Wales, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Australia, Switzerland, the United States, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Peru, Iceland and Slovakia. The UAE is represented by citizens Ahmed Skaik and Ahmed Al Musharrakh, along with resident players.
The Emirates Golf Federation is partnering on the tournament, with support from Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The prize fund is $350,000, or about AED1.285 million. WAM reported that former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood is in the field, along with Road to Mallorca standings leader Christofer Blomstrand.
The Al Ain event is the last chance for players to secure a place in the top 68 and advance to the two season-ending finals in China. From there, the top 45 in the standings will qualify for Mallorca.
Skaik targets a stronger home result
UAE golfer Ahmed Skaik wants to improve on his previous HotelPlanner Tour result, when he reached the final rounds. He said local players can draw on their knowledge of the course. His own form has also been improving.
This is Skaik's first HotelPlanner Tour appearance of the year. He has focused recently on the Asian Tour. In comments published by the HotelPlanner Tour, Skaik credited the partnership between the Emirates Golf Federation and European Tour Group with giving UAE players chances to compete against international fields, including golfers at DP World Tour level. UAE golf coverage has also tracked international results and standings, including Fitzpatrick's French Open.
His older brother Fadi is carrying his golf bag and helping him for the first time. Skaik said that having someone who knows him well by his side would make this week a new experience.
Past champions and this week's pressure
This is the tournament's fourth edition. Portugal's Ricardo Gouveia won in 2023, England's Garrick Porteous in 2024 and Italy's Renato Paratore in 2025.
The $350,000 purse is at stake, but the top-68 cut also shapes the season's final qualification race. For UAE golf, the event gives local players a chance to face an international field. Al Ain is also the last stop for players chasing places in the Race to Mallorca finals.
