The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic teed off March 19 at Mission Hills Haikou, launching the Asian Swing of the 2026 season with 120 players from 27 countries and regions.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wei Qingfeng, secretary-general of the China Golf Association, said hosting world-class competitions is a key objective for the sport's development in the country.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At a pre-tournament press conference, organizers highlighted the event's growing role in linking sport, tourism, and consumption in Hainan Free Trade Port.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tenniel Chu, vice-chairman of Mission Hills China and honorary vice-chairman of the CGA, credited the port's policies for a significant boost to the tournament. He noted that visa-free entry facilitated participation in the international field and a record number of amateur players from diverse backgrounds.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He added that for the first time in Asia, a professional tournament is pairing amateurs with professionals for the first two rounds. "All the amateurs from all walks of life, from entrepreneurs to celebrities to singers to actors and sporting athletes, they all come together as one here to enjoy the beautiful Hainan at Mission Hills," Chu said.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Asian Swing, the third of five global segments this season, carries added stakes: the top-ranked player will advance to the tour's back-nine events, while the top three will qualify for the PGA Championship in May.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese golfer Ding Wenyi said he was pleased to compete on home soil, while five-time DP World Tour winner Wu Ashun expressed confidence after recovering from injury. "I've achieved that pretty well," Wu said. "Hopefully, I can have a good breakthrough this year."

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

French rookie Martin Couvra, who finished fifth in last year's event, said he has fond memories of the course. "Hainan has the advantage to hold international world-class tournaments, all the facilities are pretty good, nice course, great hotel," Couvra said.

The DP World Tour's Hainan Classic is being held in Haikou, Hainan province, from March 19 to 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The tournament offers a total prize purse of $2.55 million.