HDDC26 Daily News Round 1

By Harry Grimshaw – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East

Rory McIlroy’s return to Emirates Golf Club this week marks 20 years since his first appearance in the tournament as an amateur back in 2006.

The now 36-year-old, went on to claim his maiden European Tour title in the Dubai Desert Classic at just 19 years of age in 2009 – his first professional victory, at a place he used to call home.

The Northern Irishman since then has added further Dallah trophies to his glistening cabinet in 2015, 2023 and most recently, 2024.

His dramatic comeback in 2024 sealed a record fourth title in the “Major of the Middle East”, after coming into the weekend ten shots back before a stunning third-round 63 on Saturday ultimately sealed the deal resulting in a one-shot win and underlined his enduring connection with the tournament, its fans and the United Arab Emirates.

“I love Dubai. It holds so many great memories for me, first of which was coming here as a 16-year-old, and playing in the Dubai Desert Classic for the first time as an amateur, and I played twice as an amateur.

“In 2007, I made the cut, and that got me to World No. 1 in the amateur rankings, and two years later,

MAGIC MAC IS BACK

I won my first professional event here.

“So it’s a lot of great memories. I’ve met a lot of great people along the way and honestly, I’ve always felt like it was a perfect place to start the year.

“In the UAE and in Dubai, you just see the amount of kids that are out here watching the tournament year-in and year-out, and obviously the amount of amazing tournaments that come to Dubai.

“Obviously we played at the Creek last week. We are here this week. We’re in Abu Dhabi at the end of the year, and then we’re at Jumeirah Golf Estates. I think coming back to a place for so long and seeing the development of golf in this region has been amazing.”

As he celebrates a history-making year in which he completed the career Grand Slam, the World Number Two is very much excited about what’s to come.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, added: “Rory’s return is the perfect way to launch our 2026 event. We never take his participation for granted, and to welcome him back as the Masters Champion after perhaps the finest season of an already sensational career only reinforces the prestige of this tournament.”

Pro-Am Results Your

Ahmad Skaik The

Tournament Town

Dear guests,

Welcome to the first day of the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. We’re delighted to embark upon another spectacular edition of what we fondly call “The Major of the Middle East”.

This year carries special significance: it is 20 years since Rory McIlroy made his first appearance at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, beginning a remarkable connection with this iconic tournament that would see him become one of our most memorable champions. Rory returns not just as a fan favourite, but as a four-time winner seeking another Dallah trophy — a fitting celebration of two decades of history here in Dubai.

We are especially proud to present a truly world-class field for you to enjoy this week. Alongside Rory, the competition features defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry, and former World No. 1 Dustin Johnson making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut. We also extend a special welcome to Ahmad Skaik, who makes history this week as the first Emirati professional to compete in the tournament.

Off the course, we have made a promise to deliver more than legendary golf, and I invite you to soak up the atmosphere, hospitality and outstanding entertainment across the course. Brand new for 2026, Eat Street makes its debut as a dedicated foodie hub, featuring 12 distinctive food trucks, relaxed seating and a giant LED screen streaming live golf, ensuring you never miss a shot. I am particularly looking forward to Saturday’s exclusive performance of Wicked at Tournament Town.

Thank you for joining us — and I hope today sets the tone for an exceptional week of golf at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

SIMON CORKILL Executive Tournament Director, Hero Dubai Desert

RORY’S RESULTS Hero Dubai Desert Classic

STARS ALIGN IN DUBAI

A DEEP ROLEX SERIES FIELD GATHERS AT EMIRATES GOLF CLUB

As the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of the season gets underway today at Emirates Golf Club, the lineup for the $9 million Rolex Series event, reflects both the tournament’s history and the current strength of the DP World Tour in the region.

Major champions, Ryder Cup stalwarts and global winners have all assembled at the Majlis course for one of the most anticipated weeks on the Middle East’s golfing calendar.

Joining four-time winner McIlroy is a host of top stars including defending champion Tyrrell Hatton who arrives with a boat load of confidence after a standout 2025 season. The Englishman’s one-shot victory here 12 months ago provided a springboard for a year that included major contention and a key role

in Team Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black last September.

Tommy Fleetwood, now a Dubai resident, continues a remarkable run of appearances in the event. This will be his 15th consecutive Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a streak stretching back to the Englishman’s rookie professional season on the DP World Tour. Fleetwood arrives fresh from a landmark year that included FedExCup glory and another Ryder Cup victory to his resume, and he remains one of the most popular figures with the expat community here in the United Arab Emirates.

The Ryder Cup influence continues deep throughout the field. Norway’s Viktor Hovland, the tournaments 2022 champion, returns after reviving his winning ways last season, while Irishman Shane Lowry makes his first appearance here since 2023. The Offlay-man comes in on the back of one of the defining moments of his career, having holed the decisive putt that sealed Team Europe’s Ryder Cup success in New York.

Adding a new layer of intrigue is American Dustin Johnson, who makes his tournament debut here at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The twotime major champion has said he was drawn by the event’s roll of honour and the test provided by the Majlis layout.

The field is further strengthened by the likes of Joaquin Niemann, Ryan Fox, Padraig Harrington and Tom McKibbin, while the UAE’s Ahmad Skaik, The 130th Amateur Champion Ethan Fang and University of Texas senior Christiaan Maas have earned exemptions as part of the tournament’s continued commitment to emerging talent.

SEVE’S LASTING LEGACY

Javier Ballesteros is very much keeping his father’s impact alive

‘We feel it’s what Dad would have wanted.’

Every year, we used to travel all around the world with my dad to tournaments and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic holds a lot of special memories for our family.

He first came here in 1989 for the very first edition of the tournament, but as a family I think we started coming around 25 years ago. Back then, there was just the golf course and basically desert. We used to stay at the Jebel Ali Hotel, which is about 20 minutes away from here.

It’s always good to be back. This year, next to the putting green, I’ve seen small pictures of all the champions. There are four big pictures, and one of them is of my dad when he won in 1992, which makes me very grateful and proud. My dad used to love this event.

I followed in my father’s footsteps and was a professional golfer myself for eight years. I worked very hard, as my dad taught me, but it just wasn’t meant to be my journey.

It was difficult. I worked hard, but one day I decided to stop because I

realised I just wasn’t good enough to compete with the best. I started working at a management company called All In Sports and helped build the golf side of it. We started with a couple of professionals and one of them is Angel Ayora, who is here this week. We’ve been together for four years now. We are already very proud of Angel and he’s making his major debut at The Open Championship this summer at Royal Birkdale, where my dad finished second in 1976, so that’s going to be special.

Along with my brothers, we run The Seve Ballesteros Foundation, which focuses on two areas. One is supporting and developing research into brain tumours, and the other is introducing young people to the game of golf. We also run a very positive hospital programme where we teach golf to children with cancer. It’s a way to try to make life a little easier for them while they’re in hospital, something families really appreciate. We feel it’s what Dad would have wanted.

Another way we remember Dad is through the Seve Collection. It’s a clothing brand featuring his silhouette. It’s only been going for two years, but Angel wears it, which makes us very proud.

I think Dad would be proud of me because I’ve always worked very hard, and that’s what he taught me.

Mac Boucher and Temps crowned Creators Dubai Desert Classic champions

The event brought together 16 of social media’s biggest sporting content creators

Content creators Mac Boucher and Temps claimed victory in the Creators Dubai Desert Classic (CDDC) after two scintillating rounds of competition at Emirates Golf Club, with both champions earning a coveted spot in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am alongside the world’s best players.

The official highlight video capturing the best moments from the weekend is released today – watch it now on via the QR code on the left

The second edition of the CDDC brought together 16 of social media’s biggest sporting content creators for a weekend of competition that began under the lights of the Faldo Course on Friday evening before concluding on the legendary Majlis Course – the same layout where the world’s best will compete for the famous Dallah Trophy at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Canadian Boucher carded rounds of 75 and 76 to finish at seven-over 151 for

the gross title while Englishman Temps took the net honours with title tworound total of 151 (+7).

Boucher said: “What a week. To win the CDDC and then tee it up in the Pro-Am just days later was surreal. You dream about playing courses like the Majlis in conditions like that. The whole experience has been first-class – Dubai knows how to do it right.”

Building on the success of its inaugural edition – which generated 13.3 million views from a single hero video and contributed to an estimated 192 million impressions – the 2026 CDDC expanded from a single-day to a weekend competition to produce deeper, higher-quality storytelling that showcases both world-class golf and Dubai as a global destination.

The 2026 field featured creators from the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK and Europe, including Mac Boucher, Sara Winter, Jay Bark, ForeBrothers (Declan and Ronan Moloney), Georgia Ball, Ellie Skoog, Temps, Max & Harry, Owen “Hoyzie”, Caitlinn Mazza, Mei Brennan, Zaire Odle, Tyler Hamilton and Hannah Davies.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The Creators Dubai Desert Classic continues to deliver exactly what we envisioned – authentic storytelling that reaches audiences traditional golf coverage simply cannot. Congratulations to Mac and Temps on their victories. It was also fantastic to see them experience the Pro-Am and witness the tournament at the highest level first-hand.”

Nakheel run away with Pro-Am win

Winning the overall Hero Dubai Desert Classic pro-am held across Tuesday and Wednesday on the Majlis course was the Nakheel team, led by professional Eugenio Chacarra alongside Praveen Pula, Zain Qureshi and Bayar Khan. The team posted a phenomenal combined score of 46 under par! (pictured above). The winning fourball team produced a fantastic score in the ‘par is your friend’ format to claim bragging rights!

Ten shots back in second spot was the Hero Dubai Desert Classic team of Mac Boucher, Rayan Ahmed, Peter Scrimgeour and professional Oliver Lindell with a team score of 36-under-par.

While in third was the Westin team lead by professional Victor Perez alongside amateurs Ben Eagle, Sara Engsig and Joe El-Masri with a score of 32-under-par.

ORDER OF PLAY

THURSDAY JANUARY

22, 2026

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

1. TIME 07:05 HOLE 1

◼ Ricardo GOUVEIA (POR)

◼ Joel GIRRBACH (SUI)

◼ Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT)

2. TIME 07:15 HOLE 1

◼ Brandon STONE (RSA)

◼ Rafa CABRERA BELLO (ESP)

◼ Jason SCRIVENER (AUS)

3. TIME 07:25 HOLE 1

◼ Scott JAMIESON (SCO)

◼ Tom VAILLANT (FRA)

◼ Richie RAMSAY (SCO)

4. TIME 07:35 HOLE 1

◼ Calum HILL (SCO)

◼ Grant FORREST (SCO)

◼ Ryggs JOHNSTON (USA)

5. TIME 07:45 HOLE 1

◼ Oliver LINDELL (FIN)

◼ Adrian OTAEGUI (UAE)

◼ Yuto KATSURAGAWA (JPN)

6. TIME 07:55 HOLE 1

◼ Zander LOMBARD (RSA)

◼ Manuel ELVIRA (ESP)

◼ Mikael LINDBERG (SWE)

7. TIME 08:05 HOLE 1

◼ Dylan NAIDOO (RSA)

◼ Daniel GAVINS (ENG)

◼ Jeff WINTHER (DEN)

8. TIME 08:15 HOLE 1

◼ Jeong weon KO (FRA)

◼ Marcus KINHULT (SWE)

◼ Casey JARVIS (RSA)

9. TIME 08:25 HOLE 1

◼ Freddy SCHOTT (GER)

◼ Andrea PAVAN (ITA)

◼ Jack SENIOR (ENG)

10. TIME 08:35 HOLE 1

◼ Victor PEREZ (FRA)

◼ Jacques KRUYSWIJK (RSA)

◼ Adrian MERONK (POL)

11. TIME 08:45 HOLE 1

◼ Renato PARATORE (ITA)

◼ Jeremy PAUL (GER)

◼ Christiaan MAAS (AM) (RSA)

12. TIME 07:05 HOLE 10

◼ Kazuma KOBORI (NZL)

◼ Marcel SCHNEIDER (GER)

◼ Ethan FANG (AM) (USA)

13. TIME 07:15 HOLE 10

◼ Joost LUITEN (NED)

◼ Frederic LACROIX (FRA)

◼ Ashun WU (CHN)

14. TIME 07:25 HOLE 10

◼ Todd CLEMENTS (ENG)

◼ Joakim LAGERGREN (SWE)

◼ Junghwan LEE (KOR)

15. TIME 07:35 HOLE 10

◼ Andy SULLIVAN (ENG)

◼ Thomas DETRY (BEL)

◼ Angel AYORA (ESP)

16. TIME 07:45 HOLE 10

◼ Joaquin NIEMANN (CHI)

◼ Wenyi DING (CHN)

◼ Connor SYME (SCO)

17. TIME 07:55 HOLE 10

◼ Laurie CANTER (ENG)

◼ Nacho ELVIRA (ESP)

◼ Thriston LAWRENCE (RSA)

18. TIME 08:05 HOLE 10

◼ Rory MCILROY (NIR)

◼ Tyrrell HATTON (ENG)

◼ Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG)

19. TIME 08:15 HOLE 10

◼ Nicolai HØJGAARD (DEN)

◼ Ryan FOX (NZL)

◼ Shane LOWRY (IRL)

20. TIME 08:25 HOLE 10

◼ Rikuya HOSHINO (JPN)

◼ Shaun NORRIS (RSA)

◼ Paul WARING (ENG)

21. TIME 08:35 HOLE 10

◼ Ross FISHER (ENG)

◼ Hennie DU PLESSIS (RSA)

◼ Francesco MOLINARI (ITA)

22. TIME 08:45 HOLE 10

◼ David LAW (SCO)

◼ Yuvraj SANDHU (IND)

◼ Ahmad SKAIK (UAE)

23. TIME 11:25 HOLE 1

◼ Niklas NORGAARD (DEN)

◼ Julien GUERRIER (FRA)

◼ Johannes VEERMAN (USA)

24. TIME 11:35 HOLE 1

◼ Matthew JORDAN (ENG)

◼ Ewen FERGUSON (SCO)

◼ Nicolai VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER)

25. TIME 11:45 HOLE 1

◼ Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA)

◼ David MICHELUZZI (AUS)

◼ Danny WILLETT (ENG)

26. TIME 11:55 HOLE 1

◼ Luke DONALD (ENG)

◼ Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN)

◼ Pablo LARRAZÁBAL (ESP)

27. TIME 12:05 HOLE 1

◼ Tom MCKIBBIN (NIR)

◼ Padraig HARRINGTON (IRL)

◼ Eugenio CHACARRA (ESP)

28. TIME 12:15 HOLE 1

◼ Patrick REED (USA)

◼ Jayden SCHAPER (RSA)

◼ Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN)

29. TIME 12:25 HOLE 1

◼ Viktor HOVLAND (NOR)

◼ Daniel HILLIER (NZL)

◼ Dustin JOHNSON (USA)

30. TIME 12:35 HOLE 1

◼ Rasmus NEERGAARD-PETERSEN (DEN)

◼ David PUIG (ESP)

◼ Martin COUVRA (FRA)

31. TIME 12:45 HOLE 1

◼ Shubhankar SHARMA (IND)

◼ Ockie STRYDOM (RSA)

◼ Angel HIDALGO (ESP)

32. TIME 12:55 HOLE 1

◼ Richard MANSELL (ENG)

◼ Antoine ROZNER (FRA)

◼ Francesco LAPORTA (ITA)

33. TIME 11:25 ♦ HOLE 10

◼ Darren FICHARDT (RSA)

◼ Andrew JOHNSTON (ENG)

◼ Jordan GUMBERG (USA)

34. TIME 11:35 HOLE 10

◼ Dan BRADBURY (ENG)

◼ Matteo MANASSERO (ITA)

◼ Michael HOLLICK (RSA)

35. TIME 11:45 HOLE 10

◼ Marcus ARMITAGE (ENG)

◼ David RAVETTO (FRA)

◼ Ben SCHMIDT (ENG)

36. TIME 11:55 HOLE 10

◼ Elvis SMYLIE (AUS)

◼ Darius VAN DRIEL (NED)

◼ Sean CROCKER (USA)

37. TIME 12:05 HOLE 10

◼ Niklas LEMKE (SWE)

◼ Brandon ROBINSON THOMPSON (ENG)

◼ Marcel SIEM (GER)

38. TIME 12:15 HOLE 10

◼ Guido MIGLIOZZI (ITA)

◼ Sebastian SÖDERBERG (SWE)

◼ Dylan FRITTELLI (RSA)

39. TIME 12:25 HOLE 10

◼ Alejandro DEL REY (ESP)

◼ Richard STERNE (RSA)

◼ Jens DANTORP (SWE)

40. TIME 12:35 HOLE 10

◼ Ivan CANTERO (ESP)

◼ Joe DEAN (ENG)

◼ Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG)

41. TIME 12:45 HOLE 10

◼ Ugo COUSSAUD (FRA)

◼ Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG)

◼ Romain LANGASQUE (FRA)

42. TIME 12:55 HOLE 10

◼ JC RITCHIE (RSA)

◼ Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG)

◼ Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP)

COMPETITION TIME!

Here is your chance to win signed Hero Dubai Desert Classic memorabilia.

We are running a Picture of the Day competition throughout the tournament, giving you the fans the opportunity to capture and share your best moments from the event.

Take a photo that you believe deserves the #picoftheday title. It could be a selfie, a favourite view of the Majlis course, or a player making their way down the fairway. Upload your image to social media using the hashtag #picoftheday and tag @DubaiDCGolf to be in with a chance of winning.

The best images from each day will be showcased right here, with the overall winner selected

Hansen wins Junior Dubai Desert Classic

Christian Hansen of Denmark produced a stunning comeback to win the 2026 Junior Dubai Desert Classic last weekend.

The Els Club Dubai member holed an eagle putt on the 54th hole to force a play-off, before repeating the feat on the return trip down the 18th to defeat fellow member Victor Larsson and claim the title with a three-round total of three-under par.

The 54-hole tournament, hosted by the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation, saw 64 boys and girls from around the world compete at Emirates Golf Club. Now in its second year with World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status, the event continues to provide young golfers with a meaningful step on the performance pathway.

The opening round took place under the lights on the Faldo Course on Friday, before an afternoon shotgun on Saturday reduced the field to the top 30 players and ties. The finalists then went head-to-head on Sunday morning over the immaculately manicured Majlis Course.

Three shots behind Larsson with two holes to play, Hansen made birdie on the 17th to cut the deficit. Then came a remarkable sequence on the 18th. Larsson found the water, while Hansen split the fairway, holed his eagle putt and watched as Larsson’s bogey forced an unexpected play-off. Hansen then produced another moment of magic by sinking a ten-foot putt on the 18th for a second eagle to seal victory.

Sri Lanka’s Kaya Daluwatte put in a solid performance to finish as leading female. The 17-year-old carded rounds of 69, 71 and 76 for an even-par total.

Earlier in the final round, Larsson provided another highlight with a stunning hole-in-one at the seventh, resulting in a runner-up spot finish. His clubmate Louis Klein, last year’s champion, secured third place at two-under.

The Els Club, Dubai

The fourth edition continued to broaden its global reach, with juniors competing from India, Thailand, Europe, Sri Lanka, Canada and across the GCC. The prize presentation was attended by Walid Al Attar, General Secretary of the Emirates Golf Federation, and Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

In addition to banking WAGR points and lifting the trophy, a smaller version of the iconic Dallah Trophy presented to the winner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Hansen won an HDDC Driving Range Clinic with Viktor Hovland, a Callaway custom driver fitting, a place in the Faldo Series Grand Final and a Clutch Tour invite, courtesy of the Emirates Golf Federation.

Simon Corkill said: “Congratulations to Christian Hansen on a fantastic victory. It’s been inspiring to watch these talented young golfers compete on a worldclass stage. Now in its fourth year, the Junior Dubai Desert Classic continues to grow as the region’s benchmark for elite youth competition. With WAGR status for the second consecutive year, we’re providing a genuine pathway for the next generation. We look forward to welcoming many of these players back in the years ahead and following their journeys in the game.”

“It’s always an honour to represent the UAE”

I’m feeling very good. I’m very excited. It’s good to be around people like this, the best players in the world, so it’s very, very exciting.

Preparation has been all right. I’ve been working hard in the gym, with the physios, and doing a lot of recovery, so now I’m very excited and ready to get going.

Earlier in the week, I played a practice round with Romain Langasque, and I had a chat with Tommy Fleetwood on Monday when it was his birthday. I actually played behind Dustin Johnson as well on Monday, so I was able to watch him a bit. It’s good to see how chilled out the big names are and that they aren’t making it bigger than it is. You know, it’s just another tournament.

Since I played in this event as an amateur, I feel like many things have changed. I’m in a better mental space right now. Physically, my game is a lot better. I’m in a better team, so I think a lot has changed and I’m a much better player.

Hopefully we can show that this week.

The course is tough. You’re playing off the back tees and the rough is pretty thick, so you need to hit the fairways and the greens. If you miss and get into the rough, it’s very tough to get up and down, especially if you’re shortsided. You need to be smart about where you miss. But it’s the same for everyone, and I’ve done well here before, so hopefully I can take all the positives from the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship into this event.

United Arab Emirates AGE 29

AFFILIATED Emirates Golf Federation

Of course I want to make the cut, that’s a big one. But for me, I want to set the goal a bit higher. I don’t want to limit myself to just making the cut. I want to try to finish top 30 or top 20 and do the best I can. At the same time, I can’t really think like that. I need to take it one shot at a time, stick to the game plan, stick to the process and enjoy the moment.

It’s always an honour to represent the UAE and the Arab world, and I’ll always be playing these big events under the flag, so it’s a huge sense of pride for me.

Last year, Adam Bresnu was the first Arabborn player to make the cut here in a Rolex Series event. For him to finally break that barrier was huge, and hopefully I can continue from there. I want to move past the “making the cut” target and push on to play better.

Inspiring the next gen

As part of this milestone year, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is taking its iconic Dallah trophy on a week-long tour of Dubai’s schools, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to inspiring young people and growing the game at the grassroots level.

The English College hosted the opening day on Monday 19th January and welcomed DP World Tour professional Nicolai Højgaard for a special meet and greet and Q&A session with students. Alongside the trophy display, the Emirates Golf Federation are delivering a golf taster session for each school introducing

students to golf through a fun, inclusive and accessible format and ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the game first-hand.

This year’s “Trophy Tour” is being delivered in partnership with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) through The R&A’s Unleash Your Drive in Schools Programme. The initiative is designed to help students become more familiar with golf as a sport, increase

“As the longest‑running golf event in the Middle East, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is proud to work with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation to continue inspiring the next generation of golfers. This year’s Trophy Tour and school taster sessions reflect our commitment to nurturing future talent and ensuring that golf is seen as an inclusive, enjoyable and healthy sport for young people.”

–Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic

awareness of its physical and mental health benefits, and introduce the game in an engaging and un-intimidating way. Three schools have already taken part in the 2026 Trophy Tour. The tour continued after The English College, to Dubai Heights Academy on Tuesday 20th January, followed by a visit to Horizon English School on Wednesday 21st. The final stop is taking place today at Bloom World Academy

EACH SWING EVERY SHIPMENT

At DP World, the pursuit of excellence defines our approach from course to port. THAT’S SMART LOGISTICS TO A TEE

Wellness, Sustainability & Getting Active

Sustainability remains a core focus for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, which is the first Middle Eastern golf event and the first in the DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status for two years running. New interactive sustainability workshops will take place on Saturday, 24 and Sunday, 25 January, while throughout the tournament guests can use free refillable water stations around the venue.

The Step Fore It Challenge, presented by Mediclinic, also returns to encourage spectators to get active by rewarding the participants with the most steps taken at the tournament Research shows golf spectators average more than 11,500 steps per day, making it a natural way to stay active while enjoying the event.

Spectators can take part by registering their step count from their personal devices on an iPad when they arrive, then logging their final step count again as they leave. The top five participants from Thursday to Sunday will win prizes, which include a Comprehensive Health Package from Medicinic worth 3,000 AED, a Viya Duo Quarterly Pass granting access to five-star leisure locations for two adults, golf lessons at the Peter Cowen Academy, group sessions at Topgolf and a Callaway MD4 wedge. Filtered water refill stations are also available throughout the venue as part of the Dubai Can initiative, and guests are encouraged to bring reusable bottles.

moving on up

Watch this space for our daily leaderboard in the “Step Fore It” challenge!

The top five participants each day with the highest step counts will win exclusive prizes!

TOURNAMENT TOWN