Nexo Championship: Five things to know

The Closing Swing draws to a close as we return to Scotland for the Nexo Championship. Here are your five things to know.

Forrest defends

Grant Forrest won his second DP World Tour title - and second on home soil - with a four-stroke victory 12 months ago. Almost exactly four years on from his triumph at the 2021 Hero Open at Fairmont St Andrews, the Scot hit the front with a course record six-under-par 66 at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. By the close of play in the third round he led by three, although that was trimmed to two after Todd Clements' birdie on the opening hole of the final round. However, when Forrest birdied the fourth and Clements carded a triple-bogey eight at the same hole, he led by five and never looked back. “It’s always an honour to play in Scotland, and I look forward to what I’m sure will be another great week," said 33-year-old Forrest ahead of his title defence.

The swing finale

After four events across as many countries, the Closing Swing returns to where it all started - Scotland. South Korea's Tom Kim claimed Rolex Series glory at the Genesis Scottish Open in the same week as American Steven Fisk won the ISCO Championship. A week later, while The Open - which like other Major Championships does not count towards the Swing Rankings - was being won by Ryan Fox, Italy's Stefano Mazzoli became both a DP World Tour and PGA TOUR winner at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic. After a three-week, the Swing resumed with the Danish Golf Championship which was won by Jeff Winther on home soil. The winner of the Closing Swing Rankings will earn a spot in all Back 9 tournaments and receive a US$200,000 bonus. But with both Mazzoli and Winther opting not to tee it up this week, the most immediate contenders are Todd Clements of England followed by Italy's Filippo Celli. The leading available member from the Closing Swing Rankings, not otherwise exempt, will earn a spot in the BMW PGA Championship, the third Rolex Series event of the season. As of today, the spot would go to last season's HotelPlanner Tour graduate Celli.

Race to Dubai leader Reed headlines field

After this week, there are just 11 events scheduled to take place before the Race to Dubai champion is crowned. Patrick Reed is currently in line to take that crown for the first time and the American will hope to strengthen his position as he returns to action for what is the first of a big run of events that will also see him line up in England, Switzerland and Ireland over the coming weeks. Eugenio Chacarra and Casey Jarvis are both also multiple winners this season and they will hope to bridge the gap on the season-long rankings. There are six winners on the 2026 Race to Dubai teeing it up, including 39-year-old first-time winner Michael Hollick of South Africa. Joining Forrest are a host of fellow hopes - 15 in total - including Ewen Ferguson, Connor Syme and Aberdeen local David Law. Simon Zach is among the tournament invitations after winning the Trackman-powered Next Golf Tour earlier this year, along with John Daly II, son of two-time major champion John Daly, for what is his professional debut on the DP World Tour.

Celebrity Pro-Am

The Nexo Championship, initially known as the Scottish Championship in 2020, was brought back onto the DP World Tour schedule in 2025, features a Celebrity Pro-Am for the first time this year. Broadening the tournament’s appeal beyond solely the professional field, the event will be held on Wednesday. A host of Scottish sporting stars across football, rugby and tennis are taking part. Andy Murray, a former tennis world number one, multiple Grand Slam winner and two-time Olympic champion is the standout and he is joined by his brother and fellow retired tennis star Jamie Murray and their mother Judy. From the world of rugby, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is joined by former captain Gavin Hastings, current internationals Kyle Steyn and the Fagerson brothers Zander and Matt. Football fans will be well aware of Charlie Mulgrew, James McArthur and Steven Fletcher with that trio all having represented the Tartan Army under Gordon Strachan. Olympic curling medal winners Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillian Jnr and Bobby Lammie will switch ice for grass as they team up with a different professional for each of the two nines.

A stern test awaits at Trump International Golf Links

After a successful inaugural year under Nexo's title sponsorship, the championship returns to the Old Course at Trump International Golf Links. Opened in 2012, the modern links layout set along the North Sea shoreline proved a demanding examination. Forrest was one of just nine players to finish the week under par last year. Of those six were from the UK, suggesting experience of links conditions is influential. Through the Fortinet Threat Score, 15 holes played over par with the 651-yard 18th proving the toughest par five on the 2025 Race to Dubai. In windy conditions, the true challenge of links golf is at its most apparent and that is expected to be the case again this week so scoring opportunities need to be capitalised upon. According to last year's data, the three-hole stretch from the fifth to the seven - the three easiest holes across all four rounds - is a section of the course not to be missed out on by players. Scores can certainly be made, with Forrest scooping a $10,000 bonus through the launch of the Course Record presented by Nexo – a season-long rolling prize fund.