Herbert’s dramatic playoff win over South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout in January thrust the 25-year-old towards the top of the Race to Dubai standings, ending the year 14th on the moneylist after returning home following the BMW PGA Championship in October.

The season suspension due to COVID-19 halted Herbert’s progress somewhat but a tie for seventh at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open followed by a top-five finish at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Open ensured he landed back in Australia with his playing status secure and a healthy bank balance to boot.

The European Tour announced its 2021 schedule on December 15, commencing with the Abu Dhabi Championship in Abu Dhabi on January 21 and then Herbert’s title defence in Dubai a week later.

A clutch up-and-down on the first playoff hole kept Herbert in the hunt on Australia Day, his birdie at the second playoff hole wrapping up a win over a field that included Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia.

Fleetwood and Garcia are both confirmed starters in the 2021 event along with Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton, the quartet to be joined for the first time by reigning US PGA champion Collin Morikawa.

In addition to his impressive PGA triumph at TPC Harding Park, Morikawa won the Workday Charity Open in July and was top-10 at the PGA TOUR’s Tour Championship, climbing to a high of No.4 in the world in just his second year on tour.

The 23-year-old enjoyed his first taste of the Middle East when he was tied for 10th at the DP World Tour Championship last week and has every intention to add his name after Herbert’s in the list of tournament champions.

“When you look back at some of the players who have won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, you realise that it is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and I’m looking forward to trying to add my name to the roll of honour,” Morikawa said.

“I’ve been told that the Majlis course is a fantastic setting and I can’t wait to get there and see it for myself.

“This year has been a memorable one for me on the golf course and I’m excited to see what 2021 has in store.”

Garcia’s Dubai Desert Classic win in 2017 served as the springboard to his emotional Masters win at Augusta National just three months later and he too is excited at the prospect of being victorious yet again.

“I love coming to Dubai and obviously having won there I have great memories to look back on,” said Garcia.

“It’s one of my favourite events – the course is always presented beautifully and is a fair test.

“I’m proud to be a part of the tournament’s rich history and would love to create a little bit more by becoming a two-time winner.”