The third annual Gary Player Invitational has raised 238,700 AED for a UAE charity, with reigning Portugal Masters champion Lucas Bjerregaard winning the latest incarnation of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council-supported event.

Golf legend Player, 82, has been bringing the invitational – under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan – to Saadiyat Golf Club since 2015 and the popularity of the event shows no signs of diminishing.

Despite being held in the immediate aftermath of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the invitational tournament enjoyed a strong turnout as Player and Co. raised almost a quarter of a million dirhams for the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs.

Player continues to defy his 82 years to travel the world promoting and playing in his eponymous series, which has raised an incredible $64 million for charities around the globe.

“I simply love coming to Abu Dhabi,” Player said. “I respect the culture and am always impressed with the various people I meet during these visits. Thanks to everyone for making this so special.

His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, added: “We were honored yet again to play a key role in bringing the Gary Player Invitational to Abu Dhabi.

“The spirit of the event, and the importance of its mandate align perfectly with the vision of Abu Dhabi, and indeed the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The success of this year’s event is testament to the special place it occupies on our growing list of world-class events.”