HDDC24 Daily News - Round 1

ROUND 1 | THURSDAY | JANUARY 18, 2024

RORY UP HIGH IN DUBAI WATCH THE VIDEO Tap/click here to watch Rory’s stunt at the Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

The Northern Irishman got his week underway in spectacular fashion in Dubai, with a viral video shoot a top the roof of the new Atlantis The Royal, Dubai on the Palm Jumeirah.

Hear from the top pro’s in the lead up to the event. PAGE 4

By Harry Grimshaw – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East

W

orld Number Two, Rory McIlroy kick-started the 35th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic week with an impressive stunt on top of the iconic Atlantis The Royal, Dubai.

The defending champion of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic goes in search of his fourth Dallah trophy this week as the USD 9 million Rolex Series event gets underway this morning on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club.

HERO DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

Thoughts from field

The unique setting of the stunt provided the perfect start to the week, with McIlroy creating a ‘hole-in-one’ scene to mark the start of the region’s longest-running golf event.

McIlroy, a previous resident in Dubai, claimed his first professional DP World Tour win on the Majlis in this very event in 2009. Victory number two came in 2015, followed by his thrid Dallah trophy when he beat American Patrick Reed down the stretch 12 months ago to match Ernie Els as the only three-time winner.

The Northern Irishman expressed his excitement; “I’m thrilled to be back on the Majlis this weekend, a course filled with cherished memories, especially from last year’s triumphant finish.

“Dubai holds a special place in my heart, and the dynamic evolution of the city is truly awe-inspiring. The view from where we stand is a testament to that, and I am really looking forward to this weekend’s event.”

McIlroy is joined by reigning Open Champion Brian Harman, Dubai resident’s Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk, plus World Top 20 player Tyrrell Hatton and PGA TOUR star Cameron Young to name just a few of the players among the star-studded list set to play at Emirates Golf Club this week.

@DUBAIDCGOLF

#DUBAIDESERTCLASSIC

Daily Diary with Josh

UAE National Player Joshua Grenville-Wood is primed. PAGE 12

★ Dress Up & Win Big! ★

Wear your best Retro-Vintage outfits on Saturday to win prizes. PAGE 13

Tournament Town

Away from the golf, there’s plenty more to activities to do. PAGE 15

DAILY DRAW SHEET & COURSE MAP

Navigate Emirates Golf Club with your guide to the first round groups.

PAGE 8-9 PATRON AND OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

DUBAIDESERTCLASSIC.COM

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WELCOME

visit golfdigestme.com for the latest coverage

Weather Watch The weather for the week looks ideal for both the professionals and spectators this week.

Thursday to Saturday sees mostly sunshine with patchy clouds and temperatures ranging between lows of 18°C first thing in the morning warming up to highs around 26°C. Sunday, looks set again to be sunny with minimal cloud and temperatures similar. As always, don’t forget your SPF and make sure you stay hydrated when out on the course!

Thu 18th

26/20

Delightful with sunshine and patchy clouds

Dear readers, On behalf of everyone at Hero MotoCorp, it gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2024.

After our inaugural tryst with this iconic event as the Title Sponsor in 2023, it is great to be back for what is deservingly called ‘The Major of the Middle East’.

It is my privilege to invite you all to the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club for another edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of 2024.

As usual, it is a dream field to have here – a line-up of true champions! We have the last three European Ryder Cup captains, Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjørn and Luke Donald playing here. Luke will shoulder the responsibility once again in the Ryder Cup 2025.

On the eve of the 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari last year led young and exciting teams from Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe at the inaugural Hero Cup. They gave us a first-hand preview of what was to expect at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Luke and his team duly delivered the coveted Ryder Cup for Europe in Rome.

The captains and many of their teammates are here this week.

The presence of the defending champion Rory McIlroy makes any tournament exciting and the Middle East is his playground. It is the same for Tommy. The duo, who between them have won eight times in the UAE, duelled it out in the sun last week at the Dubai invitational.

They are back for more this week.

Finally, there is a duo I have special place for: Stephen Gallacher and Marcel Siem, the two Hero Indian Open champions on either side of the pandemic.

Get set for another great week of top class golf at the Emirates Golf Club.

Fri 19th

26/18

Pleasant with some sun; breezy in the afternoon

Sat 20th

26/18

Nice with sun and areas of high clouds

Sun 21st

26/19

Comfortable with intervals of clouds and sunshine

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne

Group Editor and Managing Partner Ian Fairservice

Publisher David Burke

Editor Harry Grimshaw

General Manager – Production S. Sunil Kumar

Art Director Clarkwin Cruz

Production Manager Binu Purandaran

Images Supplied by Falcon and Associates, Getty Images, David Cannon

head office Media One Tower, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 427 3000; Fax: +971 4 428 2266

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DR PAWAN MUNJAL Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp

Motivate Publishing Ltd, Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London, NW1 3ER, UK Email: motivateuk@motivate.ae

NEWS

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4

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

HISTORIC HEROES

McIlroy aims to create history at the 35th edition by becoming the first four-time winner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic

BY HARRY GRIMSHAW

C

elebrating its 35th edition, and still able to claim its status as the longest-running event on the DP World Tour outside of continental Europe, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has now hit the anniversary milestone known around the world as “Jade”.

Often a representational meaning of longevity and successfulness – it’s a perfect representation of the event.

Looking back to 1989 the UAE, and the world, appeared to be a very different place.

That same year the World Wide Web was invented, Japan aired the first broadcast of high-definition television and who could forget, Mark James (pictured right) winning the then Karl Litten Desert Classic after a play-off victory over Peter O’Malley.

Since then the event has had some momentous moments; Rory McIlroy won his first professional event in 2009, aged just

LEFT: Rory has lifted the Dallah trophy on three seperate occasions (2009, 2015, 2023) BELOW: Mark James in 1989, at a very different looking Maljis course

19. Stephen Gallacher became the only back-to-back winner (2013 & 2014).

Bryon DeChambeau set the lowest winning tournament score (-24, 2019).

Colin Montgomerie hit the “best shot in my career” (pictured right) with his driver off the deck on the par five 18th hole in 1996 en route to victory.

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Tiger Woods became a two-time champ himself (2006 & 2008) and is 87-under-par for the 29 rounds that he has played around the Majlis course.

The roll of honour list also includes 11 different Major Champions. They are: Seve Ballesteros (1992), Ernie Els (1994, 02, 05), Fred Couples (1995), José Maria Olazábal (1998), Mark O’Meara (2004), Tiger Woods (2006, 08), Rory McIlroy (2009, 15, 23), Henrik Stenson (2007), Danny Willett (2016), Sergio Garcia (2017) and Bryson DeChambeau (2019). Between them, they have won 35 Majors, adding to the history of the event.

So who is in the field? The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, as always, brings with it a stellar list of global superstars who all are looking for success on the Majlis.

World Number Two Rory McIlroy, Open Champion Brian Harman, Dubai resident’s Tommy Fleetwood and Adrian Meronk, fellow World Top 20 player Tyrrell Hatton and PGA Tour star Cameron Young are all here to tee it up in the $9 million Rolex Series event, the first of five in the 2024 Race to Dubai.

McIlroy will be aiming to create history once more and become the first four-time winner of the Hero Dubai

TOP: Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood enters fresh off a win just down the road at Dubai Creek ABOVE: Brian Harman has made the trip over the pond to play as reigning Open Champion

Desert Classic by adding another Dallah trophy to his cabinet after his victories in 2009, 2015 and 2023.

Reigning Open Champion Harman sealed his maiden Major title at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July during a first-class season which saw him notch up six further top tens – including two runner-up finishes and he still managed to find time to make his Ryder Cup debut in Rome last September.

Seven-time DP World Tour winner, and Jumeirah Golf Estates resident, Fleetwood is making his 13th consecutive appearance here this week. He is on top form having won last week down at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in the Dubai Invitational, where he pipped McIlroy to the title on a dramatic final day. The 2017 Race to Dubai champion also rounded out a memorable 2023 season – which included his second Ryder Cup win – with a runner-up finish in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, as he continues for further success in the UAE, following his back-to-back victories in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.

Last year’s BMW PGA Championship winner Ryan Fox, and four-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus Højgaard are also teeing it up, as well as the recent Team Europe Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald and 2018 Open Champion Italian Francesco Molinari.

Fellow Major winners Adam Scott and Irishman Pádraig Harrington are also here, not to just make up the numbers.

A host of other DP World Tour winners, including Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal, Germany’s Yannik Paul and Marcel Siem are also in the field.

Turn to page 8 to see when everyone is teeing off, and a course map is available on page 9!

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JUNIOR DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

WATCH OUT WORLD,

THERE’S A NEW VIKTOR IN TOWN

V

iktor Kofod-Olsen of Denmark produced an impressive display to win the second edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club.

The venue welcomed the sport’s future junior stars, as they competed in the 36-hole tournament in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation, just days before the 35th Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) event got underway.

The tournament attracted an international field of 54 boys and girls from the UAE, France, India, Qatar and Sweden, who all took to the famed Faldo and Majlis courses over the two days of strokeplay competition, with Kofod-Olsen coming out on top. The Danish golfer carded a gross score of 140 (71, 69) to clinch the trophy, enough to hold off Kartik Singh 144 and Mo Craig 147, who finished second and third place, respectively.

The young golfers were presented with their prizes in a ceremony that was attended by DP World Tour Professional, Shubhankar Sharma, Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and Akram Skaik, Director General, Emirates Golf Federation.

As well as winning the trophy, Kofod-Olsen won a Callaway Tour Custom Fit Experience, an invite to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Star Player Demonstration, the Shubhankar Sharma Junior Invitational Final 2024 in India and an entry into the Faldo Series Grand Final in Al Ain. Speaking after his victory, Kofod-Olsen, said: “It was a great event and I particularly enjoyed playing the Majlis course a few days before the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Overall, I’m really happy to have performed well. I had a triple-bogey yesterday which wasn’t great but happy to have come back strongly and play well. I’ll now be watching the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week and looking forward to watching the top players in action.”

FROM LEFT: Simon Corkill, Akram Skaik, Viktor Kofod-Olsen, Shubhankar Sharma

The event provided an opportunity for the younger generation to experience what it is like to be a professional at an elite tournament with access to both golf courses, the driving range, locker rooms and players lounges at Emirates Golf Club.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the HDDC, said: “The second edition of the Junior Dubai Desert Classic showcased the very best of the sport’s future, and it was fantastic to see the young golfers so determined to do well and raise their game competitively.

“We know opportunities are crucial to help develop the golf stars of tomorrow and we hope this year’s tournament has been a great learning experience for them to take their game to the next level and become the best golfers they can be.”

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EGF - from strength to strength A historic milestone occurred before the first round of the HERO Junior Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club last weekend.

The Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) and the Junior Asian Golf Academy (JAGA) formalised their commitment to revolutionise the landscape of Junior, Amateur, and Professional golf in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, through a visionary Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

MOU Signing at the HERO Junior Dubai Desert Classic General Abdullah Alhashami, Vice Chairman of FROM LEFT: Robert Fiala, John Laroche, General Abdullah Alhashmi, Aadesh Gawde, and Simon Corkill EGF, expressed the significance of the partnership, “This collaboration with JAGA signifies our collective dedication to fostering the growth of golf among both Nationals and aspiring golfers to pursue further education and athletic development on an International student-athletes. Together, we embark on a journey to shape international scale.” the future of golf development in the UAE and the wider MENA region.”

Aadesh Gawde, Head of JAGA – UAE, shared his enthusiasm for the John Laroche, Head of JAGA – International, emphasized the global impact initiatives outlined in the MOU. “The establishment of the JAGA @ UAE Golf of their joint efforts. “The JAGA – EGF International College Showcase Academy is a pivotal step towards providing a nurturing space for emerging is a unique platform that will connect student-athletes with coaches and golf talent. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our recruiters from Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. It opens doors for collaboration with EGF.”

By donating your unwanted golf balls into the DP World “Second Life” Container in Tournament Town.

Over the past two DP World Tour seasons, DP World has collected 280,000 golf balls, which are being distributed to grassroots golf initiatives around the world.

SMART LOGISTICS TO A TEE dpworld.com

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DRAW SHEET

ORDER OF PLAY

THURSDAY

JANUARY 18, 2024

Plan the day watching your favourite players with this guide to the groupings and tee times.

1. TIME 07:10 HOLE 1 ◼ Alejandro DEL REY (ESP) ◼ Ricardo GOUVEIA (POR) ◼ Tom VAILLANT (FRA)

12. TIME 07:10 HOLE 10 ◼ Marcus KINHULT (SWE) ◼ Kevin TWAY (USA) ◼ Marcus HELLIGKILDE (DEN)

23. TIME 11:30 HOLE 1 ◼ Sean CROCKER (USA) ◼ Ockie STRYDOM (RSA) ◼ Casey JARVIS (RSA)

33. TIME 11:30 ♦ HOLE 10 ◼ Lorenzo SCALISE (ITA) ◼ Adam BLOMME (SWE) ◼ Espen KOFSTAD (NOR)

2. TIME 07:20 HOLE 1 ◼ Santiago TARRIO (ESP) ◼ Scott JAMIESON (SCO) ◼ Daan HUIZING (NED)

13. TIME 07:20 HOLE 10 ◼ Padraig HARRINGTON (IRL) ◼ Julien BRUN (FRA) ◼ Marcus ARMITAGE (ENG)

24. TIME 11:40 HOLE 1 ◼ Marco PENGE (ENG) ◼ Ashun WU (CHN) ◼ Richie RAMSAY (SCO)

34. TIME 11:40 HOLE 10 ◼ James MORRISON (ENG) ◼ Clément SORDET (FRA) ◼ Jason SCRIVENER (AUS)

3. TIME 07:30 HOLE 1 ◼ Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR) ◼ Niklas NØRGAARD (DEN) ◼ Adrien SADDIER (FRA)

14. TIME 07:30 HOLE 10 ◼ Tom MCKIBBIN (NIR) ◼ Zander LOMBARD (RSA) ◼ Matthew SOUTHGATE (ENG)

25. TIME 11:50 HOLE 1 ◼ Connor SYME (SCO) ◼ Daniel HILLIER (NZL) ◼ Nick BACHEM (GER)

35. TIME 11:50 HOLE 10 ◼ Matthew BALDWIN (ENG) ◼ Andy SULLIVAN (ENG) ◼ Edoardo MOLINARI (ITA)

4. TIME 07:40 HOLE 1 ◼ Dale WHITNELL (ENG) ◼ Simon FORSSTRÖM (SWE) ◼ Daniel GAVINS (ENG)

15. TIME 07:40 HOLE 10 ◼ Adrian OTAEGUI (ESP) ◼ Jordan SMITH (ENG) ◼ Romain LANGASQUE (FRA)

26. TIME 12:00 HOLE 1 ◼ Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) ◼ Thriston LAWRENCE (RSA) ◼ Daniel BROWN (ENG)

36. TIME 12:00 HOLE 10 ◼ Hennie DU PLESSIS (RSA) ◼ Matthew JORDAN (ENG) ◼ Louis DE JAGER (RSA)

5. TIME 07:50 HOLE 1 ◼ Rafa CABRERA BELLO (ESP) ◼ Todd CLEMENTS (ENG) ◼ Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN)

16. TIME 07:50 HOLE 10 ◼ Yannik PAUL (GER) ◼ Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) ◼ Francesco MOLINARI (ITA)

27. TIME 12:10 HOLE 1 ◼ Pablo LARRAZÁBAL (ESP) ◼ Marcel SIEM (GER) ◼ Luke DONALD (ENG)

37. TIME 12:10 HOLE 10 ◼ Callum SHINKWIN (ENG) ◼ Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) ◼ Jens DANTORP (SWE)

6. TIME 08:00 HOLE 1 ◼ Haotong LI (CHN) ◼ Richard MANSELL (ENG) ◼ David LAW (SCO)

17. TIME 08:00 HOLE 10 ◼ Brian HARMAN (USA) ◼ Adrian MERONK (POL) ◼ Dan BRADBURY (ENG)

28. TIME 12:20 HOLE 1 ◼ Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) ◼ Cameron YOUNG (USA) ◼ Ryan FOX (NZL)

38. TIME 12:20 HOLE 10 ◼ Calum HILL (SCO) ◼ Manuel ELVIRA (ESP) ◼ Dylan FRITTELLI (RSA)

7. TIME 08:10 HOLE 1 ◼ Oliver WILSON (ENG) ◼ Jamie DONALDSON (WAL) ◼ Angel HIDALGO ESP)

18. TIME 08:10 HOLE 10 ◼ Rory MCILROY (NIR) ◼ Nicolai HØJGAARD (DEN) ◼ Adam SCOTT (AUS)

29. TIME 12:30 HOLE 1 ◼ Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) ◼ Rasmus HØJGAARD (DEN) ◼ Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN)

39. TIME 12:30 HOLE 10 ◼ Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) ◼ Paul WARING (ENG) ◼ Aaron COCKERILL (CAN)

8. TIME 08:20 HOLE 1 ◼ Johannes VEERMAN (USA) ◼ Marcel SCHNEIDER (GER) ◼ Gavin GREEN MAS)

19. TIME 08:20 HOLE 10 ◼ Rikuya HOSHINO (JPN) ◼ Antoine ROZNER (FRA) ◼ Ewen FERGUSON (SCO)

30. TIME 12:40 HOLE 1 ◼ Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) ◼ Sebastian SÖDERBERG (SWE) ◼ Joost LUITEN (NED)

40. TIME 12:40 HOLE 10 ◼ Mike LORENZO-VERA (FRA) ◼ Stephen GALLACHER (SCO) ◼ Hurly LONG (GER)

9. TIME 08:30 HOLE 1 ◼ Laurie CANTER (ENG) ◼ Joshua GRENVILLE-WOOD (UAE) ◼ Jeong weon KO (FRA)

20. TIME 08:30 HOLE 10 ◼ Joaquin NIEMANN (CHI) ◼ Nathan KIMSEY (ENG) ◼ Guido MIGLIOZZI (ITA)

31. TIME 12:50 HOLE 1 ◼ Grant FORREST (SCO) ◼ Thomas BJØRN (DEN) ◼ Julien GUERRIER (FRA)

41. TIME 12:50 HOLE 10 ◼ Kevin CHAPPELL (USA) ◼ Ross FISHER (ENG) ◼ Matteo MANASSERO (ITA)

10. TIME 08:40 HOLE 1 ◼ MJ DAFFUE (RSA) ◼ Lukas NEMECZ (AU) ◼ Søren KJELDSEN (DEN)

21. TIME 08:40 HOLE 10 ◼ Jeff WINTHER (DEN) ◼ Nacho ELVIRA (ESP) ◼ Shubhankar SHARMA (IND)

32. TIME 13:00 HOLE 1 ◼ Adri ARNAUS (ESP) ◼ Jesper SVENSSON (SWE) ◼ Michael THORBJORNSEN (AM) (USA)

42. TIME 13:00 HOLE 10 ◼ Chase HANNA (USA) ◼ Andrea PAVAN (ITA) ◼ Frederik KJETTRUP (AM) (DEN)

11. TIME 08:50 HOLE 1 ◼ Sebastian GARCIA (ESP) ◼ Ugo COUSSAUD (FRA) ◼ Gunner WIEBE (USA)

22. TIME 08:50 HOLE 10 ◼ Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) ◼ Matthias SCHWAB (AUT) ◼ Maximilian KIEFFER (GER)

Main Entrance

Al Khail Metro Station

D

DR

GG

MV

KZ

Tournament Town

C

General Parking Public Access

B

A

PL

2

MC

Clubhouse

1

9

VIP

GENERAL PUBLIC

TG

MT

E

16

18

TV Compound

8

3

12

13

17

14

4 7

10

SP

6

PT

5

15

YDS

469 351 601 180 451 485 186 459 488 3670

HOLE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 OUT

11

3356

446

420

170

443

412

165

550

321

429

MTRS

35

4

4

3

4

4

3

5

4

4

PAR

YDS

3758 7428

TOTAL

564

359

463

190

434

554

476

169

549

IN

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

HOLE

6793

3437

516

328

423

174

397

507

435

155

502

MTRS

Pre booked Taxis

Taxis

Solar Panels

Jones Picnic Lounge

MV Marshals / Volunteers

SP Skyline Pavilion

72

37

5

4

4

3

4

5

4

3

5

PAR

PT Public Bar & Viewing Terrace

MT EGC Members Terrace

TG Top Golf Public Deck

MC Media Centre

VIP Hospitality

DR Driving Range by Callaway

GG Grey Goose Bar

PL Players’ Lounge

KZ Kid’s Zone

Medical

Parking Area

Walking Path

Water Dispenser

Public Grandstands

Public Catering

Scoreboard

Giant Screen

Merchandise

Toilets

General Public Access

Ticketing

SPECTATOR MAP 9

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NEWS

ADRIAN COLLECTS SEVE AWARD

Earlier in the week, Adrian Meronk, was gifted the 2023 Seve Ballesteros Award after being voted Player of the Year by his fellow members on the DP World Tour.

It adds to the 31-year-old’s record-breaking achievements, as he becomes the first player from Poland to receive the honour after a season in which he won three times and finished a career-high fourth on the 2023 Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex.

The Pole earned 38% of the votes cast by his fellow members, with Race to Dubai Champion Rory McIlroy taking second place. Ryder Cup debutant Nicolai Højgaard and Viktor Hovland, who clinched the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup, were in joint third place.

Meronk was presented with the trophy by one of Seve’s sons Javier (left), who travelled to Dubai ahead of this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament won by his father over 30 years ago.

“It feels amazing,” said Meronk. “I’m shocked to be honest, I didn’t expect that. You got me by surprise but seeing my name next to all of these players, it’s unbelievable.

“I’m very grateful for this award. It means a lot to me that other players appreciate my season last year. It’s a great feeling.”

THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD RORY MCILROY

BRIAN HARMAN

“I’m always excited to get back to Dubai with the success that I’ve had here on this golf course”

“When I got this opportunity, I was like, wow, Dubai. I’ve always wanted to go”

ADRIAN MERONK “I love playing here in Dubai. It’s probably one of my favourite tournaments of the year. We have such a great field this week.”

TOMMY FLEETWOOD “These events are obviously huge. They play a big, big part on how the actual overall rankings at the end of the year work out. I think they hold a big place on the calendar”

ADAM SCOTT “I think it’s great to see this event elevated as a Rolex Series and getting a great field”

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Par for the course.

For over 30 years, Emirates NBD has supported the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament. The partnership reflects the values Emirates NBD shares with golfers and enthusiasts, a commitment to fair play, hard work, endurance and performance.

emiratesnbd.com

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DAILY DIARY

Daily Diary with Joshua Grenville-Wood

“IT’S AN HONOUR TO REPRESENT THE UAE AND SHOWCASE THAT GOLF HERE IS GETTING BIGGER AND BETTER”

L

iving in Dubai, I’m very excited for this week, I think everyone would want to play in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

It’s one of the most iconic events in the world and Emirates Golf Club has a lot of history over the past 35 years with this event. Especially with the calibre of players that have played in the event and claimed the Dallah trophy, it’s amazing. So I’m super excited to get going on Thursday.

In the lead up, my preparation has been good. I’ve been working a lot with my coach Joe Marshall from the Claude Harmon III Performance Academy at The Els Club Dubai.

We’ve just been going through what we need to do and tightening up my short game because the Majlis can be pretty tough in and around the greens, but it’s been good so far.

I must say, the Majlis is in incredible condition. It’s probably the best I have ever seen it. The greens, I have never seen them this quick before and the tournament hasn’t even started! It’s fantastic to be able to play it in such great condition, the fairways and approaches are all in amazing spec, so it really is special to be able to get ready with this tournament set-up.

If i was to look into the challenges this week, the fairways are of course a bit tight, but the real problem is how thick the rough is. It’s been over-seeded, as expected,

PRO-FILES Grenville-Wood

T6

Best DP World Tour result – 2023 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

19

Grenville-Wood’s age when he turned professional

so the rough must be four to five inches deep in places, therefore I have to manage my misses. Considering I hit the ball a bit further than most people, if I do hit it in the rough I then have a lot less club in than most people, so that’s a big advantage but still I have to manage it.

When it comes to Thursday at 08:30 when I tee-off on the first, my plan is to just play my game like I know I can do. I’ve played well around here before and it’s a place that I love playing. Plus, I’m in a home event which is what everyone wants to do. I just want to go out there and have fun, play my game, and see what happens.

I’ve got some close support this week which is great. My coach Joe (below) is here

with me, my family have flown over as well, so it’s not too big of a team, just the right size.

It’s special to have my family out here to be able to enjoy this experience with me.

It really is an honour to represent the UAE in this huge Rolex Series event and showcase that golf in the UAE is getting bigger and better, and it’s only going to keep getting better. To be representing the UAE and the Emirates Golf Federation makes me feel so cool. I’m excited and honoured to be able to do that.

I’m so thankful to the guys at the Emirates Golf Federation and Falcon and Associates, they’re amazing in giving me this opportunity to play in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week and going forward in DP World Tour events, it’s pretty special.

COMPETITION

TAP HERE FOR MORE INFO

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS FOUNDED IN 1979

As the tournament’s Official Patron, Motivate Media Group has been there every step of the way. That’s every drive and every putt since 1989. atlantistheroyal.com

@atlantistheroyal

motivatemedia.com

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14

PRO-AM

LOCAL

KNOWLEDGE O

verall winners of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am split over Tuesday and Wednesday of the Majlis course was the team consisting of Emirates Golf Club Mens Captain Frank Duggan, Ladies Captain Fiona Berry, Junior Dubai Desert Classic Champion Viktor Kofod-Olsen and professional Tom McKibben from Northern Ireland.

The team produced a score of 34 under par in the ‘par is your friend’ format to claim bragging rights back in the clubhouse!

Three shots back in second spot was the team of Sandeep Singh, Randeep Singh, Satnam Kaur and professional Grant Forrest from Scotland, with a team score of 31 under.

While in third was the team lead by the 2018 Dubai Desert Classic Champion Haotong Li with amateurs, Asheesh Narayan, Rahul Yadav and Zahid Noorani with a score of 30 under.

ACTIVATION

TIME

LOCATION

ACT

TIME

Thursday – 18 January

10:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Caricature Artist 18:00 Tournament Town Stage Live Music 23:00 Finish Finish

Friday – 19 January

10:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Caricature Artist 13:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Glitter Box 12:00 Tournament Town Golf Course Comedy Act 12:00 Tournament Town Bubbling Golfer 13:00 Tournament Town Golf Course Comedy Act 13:30 Tournament Town Bubbling Golfer 14:00 Tournament Town Golf Course Comedy Act 14:30 Tournament Town Stage Bubbling Golfer 14:00 - 16:00 Tournament Town Free Face Painting 15:00 Tournament Town Family Beatz Event 18:30 Tournament Town Live Music 23:00 Finish Finish

Saturday – 20 January

LOCATION

Sunday – 21 January

N W O T T N E TOURNAM

10:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Caricature Artist 10:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Glitter Box 11:00 Sustainability Corner DIY Workshop 11:30 Sustainability Corner Seed Bombs Workshop 12:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 12:00 Tournament Town Tall Tee Toppers 12:30 Sustainability Corner Urban Farming Workshop 13:00 Tournament Town Green Gents 13:30 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 13:30 Sustainability Corner Jenga 14:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 14:30 Tournament Town Green Gents 14:30 Sustainability Corner Diy Workshop 15:00 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 15:00 Tournament Town Tall Tee Toppers 15:30 Sustainability Corner Seed Bombs Workshop 16:00 Tournament Town Green Gents 16:30 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 16:30 Sustainability Corner Urban Farming Workshop 17:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 17:00 Tournament Town Tall Tee Toppers 17:30 Sustainability Corner Jenga 18:00 Tournament Town Stage Live Music 23:00 Finish Finish

15

ACT

10:00 - 18:00 Tournament Town Caricature Artist 11:00 Sustainability Corner Diy Workshop 11:00 Tournament Town Green Gents 11:30 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 12:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 12:30 Sustainability Corner Seed Bombs Workshop 13:00 Tournament Town Green Gents 13:30 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 13:30 Sustainability Corner Urban Farming Workshop 14:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 14:30 Tournament Town Green Gents 14:30 Sustainability Corner Jenga 15:00 Tournament Town The Swingin Green Brass Band 15:00 Tournament Town Blossom Buggy 15:30 Sustainability Corner Diy Workshop 16:00 Sustainability Corner Seed Bombs Workshop 18:00 Tournament Town Stage Live Music 22:00 Finish Finish

16

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT