HDDC26 Daily News Round 2

FRANKIE FINDS FORM

By Harry Grimshaw

Francesco Molinari, the 2018 Open Champion, fired a seven-under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead after the opening round of the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a US$9 million Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour.

The Italian produced a composed and confident round on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, marking his lowest round on the DP World Tour since January 2024.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously good comes to mind,” Molinari said. “Not super unexpected, but I wasn’t expecting a score like that. Last week I felt very rusty, so I was hoping it would be very good prep for this week. The putter was the biggest difference. Made some nice putts and kept the round going in the middle, played a couple of iffy holes and made some good pars. Very, very pleased with the start.”

With challenging windy conditions yesterday, Francesco’s focus and mental discipline were key to navigating the tricky Karl Litten-designed layout.

“Yeah, it’s not easy. It’s very tricky. The wind obviously is up, switching between northwest and

north, and the greens are the biggest difficulty. They are getting to the point where your putter has leaves on it, always a sign of firm greens. It’s tricky, but I did a good job of staying in the moment and not getting too flustered. At the end of the day, you add them up and it’s pretty good.”

Molinari has also made changes off the course, returning to work with long-time coach Denis Pugh to simplify his game and focus on what matters.

“I’ve changed everything and then changed back,” he said. “I’m back working with Denis. He doesn’t travel to tournaments anymore, but I see him a day a month at home. He’s always been great, helping simplify stuff and clear things out of my mind that don’t need to be there. That’s been the biggest help.”

In second place is Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg on five under par, with Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach and South Africa’s JC Ritchie a further shot back in third on four under par.

Last year’s winner, Tyrrell Hatton, signed for a two under par 70, while World Number Two Rory McIlroy, aiming for his fifth Dallah Trophy, opened his campaign with a one over par 73.

Fisher 500 not out!

Ross Fisher is marking a significant milestone this week, playing his 500th DP World Tour event at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“It’s pretty special,” Fisher said. “When you first start on tour, it’s not something you think about, but seeing players like Miguel Ángel Jiménez reach milestones makes you appreciate it. To reach 500 events at such an iconic venue as Dubai makes it even better.”

Fisher made his professional debut at the 2004 Ken Schofield Memorial at Woburn. After competing on the

Challenge Tour and going through qualifying school, he secured his card in 2005. “It feels like a lifetime ago, but at 45, I’m still fit and moving well, enjoying my 20th or 21st season on tour,” he added.

Reflecting on his career, Fisher highlighted his consistency. “The last few years have been tougher, keeping my card and relying on career money at times. But having a solid career to fall back on is a privilege, and I’ll keep pushing to retain my playing rights.”

“600 events is a long way off, but if I stay healthy and fit, it’s not impossible. I’ll keep playing as long as I can.”

Donald Done

Luke Donald’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic ends before it starts after brutal 24 Hours

Luke Donald has withdrawn from this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic after being hampered by a wrist niggle, flu-like symptoms and back muscle spasms.

Donald’s withdrawal comes a year after he produced one of the standout moments of the tournament, carding a hole-in-one during Friday’s second round of the 35th Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Donald travelled to Dubai from Orlando, committed to competing at Emirates Golf Club, but was ultimately forced to make the difficult decision on Thursday morning following advice from the DP World Tour medical staff.

Brendan Taylor, Luke Donald’s manager, told Golf Digest Middle East: “Luke obviously came over to play the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He loves coming over to the region, loves Dubai, and he made the commitment to fly over from Orlando and play the event.

“But Luke being Luke, once he committed to the tournament, he’d done 10 days of solid practice at home to prepare because he never does anything without being fully prepared and giving it his all.”

The initial issue arose earlier in the week, with Donald feeling discomfort in his wrist.

“He felt a wrist niggle, which was the first issue. We got that scanned, and he was cleared to play the tournament but had to rest it yesterday after advice from the European Tour medical staff,” his manager added. “That’s why he wasn’t able to play in the Pro-Am, although he did walk the final two holes with EGA, his Pro-Am partners.”

The Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain then began feeling unwell on Thursday,

with virus symptoms circulating among players.

“Apparently a couple of players had this bad cold, sort of flu-like symptoms, and he started yesterday feeling that way,” his manager said. “He woke up this morning feeling even worse, so it was another visit to the European Tour medical staff, who got him some medication and he started feeling better. But when he was on the range this morning warming up, his back went into muscle spasms.

“Talk about things coming in three!”

With the combination of issues, Donald was left with no choice but to withdraw.

“Very sadly, he’s had to not play, which he’s gutted about having come all the way over,” his manager said.

“He’s obviously played golf for many, many years and he’s just maybe got some wear and tear in the wrist.”

Donald will return home to the United States on Saturday, with his next start to be confirmed.

“He’ll fly back early hours of Saturday morning and it’s TBC where Luke will tee it up next,” his manager added.

Donald was expected to hold talks with senior officials at the European Tour Group this week in Dubai on the 2027 Ryder Cup captaincy position. The 48-year-old was replaced in the field by Italian Filippo Celli.

He woke up this morning feeling even worse, so it was another visit to the European Tour medical staff.”

Coaching Tommy

GRAHAM WALKER ON WORKING WITH WORLD NO. 3 TOMMY FLEETWOOD

With Harry Grimshaw

Graham, here we are at the first Rolex Series event of the year on the DP World Tour, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, how special is this week?

It’s a lovely week. The facilities are great and you’re made to feel welcome around the place as well. I think that, for a coach, that’s good. We’re not on the periphery, you’re made welcome. When you look at the whole set-up, it’s a really, really good tournament.

I’ve got a lot of players to work with this week. It’s the first week that they’re all out together, as they’re normally playing a few different schedules. So,

I’ve got Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Højgaard, Paul Waring, Joe Dean, Sam Bairstow and Richie Ramsay.

Some players I work with have come through the ranks and I’ve been working with them for a number of years, like Joe Dean. With Tommy, I’ve now been working with him for 10 years. Nicolai, we’ve just been together a little while, and Paul Waring I’ve taught for over 20 years now.

I would say a lot of my work is in the development of players. I’m really trying to bring players through and develop their games so they can go and play anywhere in the world, and they don’t always need me talking to them. They can take their golf anywhere.

They don’t all do everything exactly the same, and neither should they, because they’re all different people.

That must mean you have to be adaptable as a coach?

I always carry my little blue book with me, and you’ll see there are loads of notes and bits of paper and things in there.

So I’ll often take notes on their tendencies, what they like and what they dislike.

And then the shots for the golf course. Making sure they’re aware of the shots the course demands, and that they practise them when they do their pre-round work as well.

Sometimes it’s about dealing and development. You’re dealing with what you’ve got to deal with, technically, this week, and also what you can develop for the future.

So it’s really trying to get their heads around what they’re dealing with now, and what they can develop for the future as well.

Is there something specific that they all have to do this week for the Majlis course?

This course is in lovely condition. The greens are great this week as well. Around the greens is fair. There’s some rough, but it’s pretty good. The bunkers are in good shape. So really, if they bring their game to the course, they should be able to score.

You’ve got to make sure, when you’re in the rough around the green, that you keep the loft on it and give it enough speed going through the

One thing I’d often say about Tommy is that he’s a very patient learner.”

rough. Because if you don’t, it will often snag. A lot of the younger players don’t always like using the square face or a less lofted club.

They’ll often use a little bit more loft and even open the face slightly so they feel they can hit the ball a little firmer, a little quicker, to bring it out of the rough, which for some players is a very, very good thing.

How impressive is that journey you’ve been on with Tommy?

The story from 10 years ago, when he first came to see me, is that he had half a set of clubs, like his wedges and a few irons. He came over on the train and I picked him up from Howden Station in my daughter’s car for a lesson. That’s where our relationship started.

Now, today’s Tommy Fleetwood can’t come on a train to The Oaks Golf Club to have a lesson!

One thing I’d often say about Tommy is that he’s a very patient learner. Even a number of years ago, before he had all the success he has now, he was patient and respectful of the advice you gave him, and he gave you the time to do your job.

CLOCKWISE ABOVE:

Nicolai Højgaard; Joe Dean; Paul Waring

OPPOSITE PAGE FROM TOP: Tommy

Fleetwood; Coach Graham Walker

He would then pay for you to go and watch him play golf, which not very many people do these days. So I managed to get a very good look at his game.

I gave him a patient approach, a development approach, something that had longevity to it, and that was a good start for us.

With all your experience, are you still learning yourself?

I learn every day. I write my notes just about every day, and I love learning. You might have things through the day that you’ve said in a different way.

FAMILY FRIDAY & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The returning FamilyBeatz, taking place today from 3pm to 6pm, will transform Tournament Town into Dubai’s first family-friendly rave. Teenage DJ Julie will take to the decks alongside live acts, creating a high-energy but child-appropriate experience designed for families to enjoy together.

As the sun sets, Tournament Town shifts seamlessly into evening mode. From 6pm until late, live bands, talented singers and DJs take over, with performances from Skyline, Speed Wagon, Sweet Chilli Jam, Charley and DJ Rainier, delivering an open-air festival atmosphere that works just as well for after-work plans as it does for a full evening out.

To keep young fans entertained and inspired, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is teaming up with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature to bring a dedicated Reading Corner to Tournament Town. From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, children can enjoy live readings from beloved books by acclaimed local and international authors, including Curtis Jobling.

THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD

JORGE CAMPILLO

“My highlight was my shot into the last hole in the dark!”

MANUEL ELVIRA

“One shot changed my whole round.”

MIKAEL LINDBERG

“It’s firm, it’s quick, it’s tricky. Yeah, it’s tough!”

TYRRELL HATTON

“Standing here right now, I’m very happy with that score.”

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ORDER OF PLAY

FRIDAY

JANUARY 23, 2026

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

1. TIME 07:05 ♦ HOLE 1

◼ Darren FICHARDT (RSA) +4

◼ Andrew JOHNSTON (ENG) +1

◼ Jordan GUMBERG (USA) +3

2. TIME 07:15 HOLE 1

◼ Dan BRADBURY (ENG) +2

◼ Matteo MANASSERO (ITA) +4

◼ Michael HOLLICK (RSA) -1

3. TIME 07:25 HOLE 1

◼ Marcus ARMITAGE (ENG) -1

◼ David RAVETTO (FRA) +2

◼ Ben SCHMIDT (ENG) PAR

4. TIME 07:35 HOLE 1

◼ Elvis SMYLIE (AUS) +6

◼ Darius VAN DRIEL (NED) +2

◼ Sean CROCKER (USA) +3

5. TIME 07:45 HOLE 1

◼ Niklas LEMKE (SWE) -1

◼ Brandon ROBINSON THOMPSON (ENG) +4

◼ Marcel SIEM (GER) PAR

6. TIME 07:55 HOLE 1

◼ Guido MIGLIOZZI (ITA) +8

◼ Sebastian SÖDERBERG (SWE) +3

◼ Dylan FRITTELLI (RSA) PAR

7. TIME 08:05 HOLE 1

◼ Alejandro DEL REY (ESP) PAR

◼ Richard STERNE (RSA) +2

◼ Jens DANTORP (SWE) +1

8. TIME 08:15 HOLE 1

◼ Ivan CANTERO (ESP) -1

◼ Joe DEAN (ENG) +2

◼ Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG) +3

9. TIME 08:25 HOLE 1

◼ Ugo COUSSAUD (FRA) +2

◼ Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) +4

◼ Romain LANGASQUE (FRA) +1

10. TIME 08:35 HOLE 1

◼ JC RITCHIE (RSA) -4

◼ Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) -2

◼ Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) -2

11. TIME 07:05 HOLE 10

◼ Niklas NORGAARD (DEN) +4

◼ Julien GUERRIER (FRA) +1

◼ Johannes VEERMAN (USA) -3

12. TIME 07:15 HOLE 10

◼ Matthew JORDAN (ENG) +5

◼ Ewen FERGUSON (SCO) -2

◼ Nicolai VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER) -3

13. TIME 07:25 HOLE 10

◼ Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) +4

◼ David MICHELUZZI (AUS) -2

◼ Danny WILLETT (ENG) +4

14. TIME 07:35 HOLE 10

◼ Filippo CELLI (ITA) +4

◼ Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN) +5

◼ Pablo LARRAZÁBAL (ESP) +3

15. TIME 07:45 HOLE 10

◼ Tom MCKIBBIN (NIR) -1

◼ Padraig HARRINGTON (IRL) PAR

◼ Eugenio CHACARRA (ESP) +6

16. TIME 07:55 HOLE 10

◼ Patrick REED (USA) -3

◼ Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) -1

◼ Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN) +5

17. TIME 08:05 HOLE 10

◼ Viktor HOVLAND (NOR) +1

◼ Daniel HILLIER (NZL) -2

◼ Dustin JOHNSON (USA) +2

18. TIME 08:15 HOLE 10 (Thru Hole 17)

◼ Rasmus NEERGAARD-PETERSEN (DEN) +3

◼ David PUIG (ESP) PAR

◼ Martin COUVRA (FRA) -1

19. TIME 08:25 HOLE 10 (Thru Hole 16)

◼ Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) +2

◼ Ockie STRYDOM (RSA) +4

◼ Angel HIDALGO (ESP) +1

20. TIME 08:35 HOLE 10 (Thru Hole 16)

◼ Maximilian STEINLECHNER (AUT) +12

◼ Antoine ROZNER (FRA) +3

◼ Francesco LAPORTA (ITA) +5

21. TIME 11:25 HOLE 1

◼ Kazuma KOBORI (NZL) PAR

◼ Marcel SCHNEIDER (GER) -1

◼ Ethan FANG (AM) (USA) +2

22. TIME 11:35 HOLE 1

◼ Joost LUITEN (NED) PAR

◼ Frederic LACROIX (FRA) +2

◼ Ashun WU (CHN) -1

23. TIME 11:45 HOLE 1

◼ Todd CLEMENTS (ENG) +5

◼ Joakim LAGERGREN (SWE) PAR

◼ Junghwan LEE (KOR) +4

24. TIME 11:55 HOLE 1

◼ Andy SULLIVAN (ENG) -1

◼ Thomas DETRY (BEL) +1

◼ Angel AYORA (ESP) +3

25. TIME 12:05 HOLE 1

◼ Joaquin NIEMANN (CHI) +2

◼ Wenyi DING (CHN) -3

◼ Connor SYME (SCO) PAR

26. TIME 12:15 HOLE 1

◼ Laurie CANTER (ENG) +1

◼ Nacho ELVIRA (ESP) +1

◼ Thriston LAWRENCE (RSA) +4

27. TIME 12:25 HOLE 1

◼ Rory MCILROY (NIR) +1

◼ Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) -2

◼ Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) +1

28. TIME 12:35 HOLE 1

◼ Nicolai HØJGAARD (DEN) -1

◼ Ryan FOX (NZL) PAR

◼ Shane LOWRY (IRL) -2

29. TIME 12:45 HOLE 1

◼ Rikuya HOSHINO (JPN) +3

◼ Shaun NORRIS (RSA) +8

◼ Paul WARING (ENG) +3

30. TIME 12:55 HOLE 1

◼ Ross FISHER (ENG) PAR

◼ Hennie DU PLESSIS (RSA) -1

◼ Francesco MOLINARI (ITA) -7

31. TIME 13:05 HOLE 1

◼ David LAW (SCO) +3

◼ Yuvraj SANDHU (IND) +3

◼ Ahmad SKAIK (UAE) +6

32. TIME 11:25 HOLE 10

◼ Ricardo GOUVEIA (POR) PAR

◼ Joel GIRRBACH (SUI) -4

◼ Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) +2

33. TIME 11:35 HOLE 10

◼ Brandon STONE (RSA) +4

◼ Rafa CABRERA BELLO (ESP) -1

◼ Jason SCRIVENER (AUS) -1

34. TIME 11:45 HOLE 10

◼ Scott JAMIESON (SCO) -2

◼ Tom VAILLANT (FRA) PAR

◼ Richie RAMSAY (SCO) +2

35. TIME 11:55 HOLE 10

◼ Calum HILL (SCO) +1

◼ Grant FORREST (SCO) -2

◼ Ryggs JOHNSTON (USA) PAR

36. TIME 12:05 HOLE 10

◼ Oliver LINDELL (FIN) -2

◼ Adrian OTAEGUI (UAE) PAR

◼ Yuto KATSURAGAWA (JPN) -3

37. TIME 12:15 HOLE 10

◼ Zander LOMBARD (RSA) -1

◼ Manuel ELVIRA (ESP) -3

◼ Mikael LINDBERG (SWE) -5

38. TIME 12:25 HOLE 10

◼ Dylan NAIDOO (RSA) +2

◼ Daniel GAVINS (ENG) +3

◼ Jeff WINTHER (DEN) PAR

39. TIME 12:35 HOLE 10

◼ Jeong weon KO (FRA) -1

◼ Marcus KINHULT (SWE) +5

◼ Casey JARVIS (RSA) +2

40. TIME 12:45 HOLE 10

◼ Freddy SCHOTT (GER) -1

◼ Andrea PAVAN (ITA) -3

◼ Jack SENIOR (ENG) PAR

41. TIME 12:55 HOLE 10

◼ Victor PEREZ (FRA) +2

◼ Jacques KRUYSWIJK (RSA) PAR

◼ Adrian MERONK (POL) PAR

42. TIME 13:05 HOLE 10

◼ Renato PARATORE (ITA) +3

◼ Jeremy PAUL (GER) +2

◼ Christiaan MAAS (AM) (RSA) -2

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 picture of the day 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 and tag @DubaiDCGolf to be in with a chance of winning.

The best image from each day will be showcased right here, with the overall winner selected at the end of play on Sunday.

“I hardly slept at all last night”

Iwas very nervous this morning. I was very, very nervous. I hardly slept at all last night, knowing this was a big event and that I wanted to do well.

All my nerves were on the inside, and I was trying not to show it.

It was tough, to be honest. I started off on hole 10 and I thought I’d played a really good front nine.

I birdied my second hole of the day, the par-3 11th. It had the same pin as the AsiaPacific Amateur Championship and the same wind on that hole. I hit a pretty good shot and holed the putt.

But the conditions played a huge part today. It was very windy, which made the holes very long and tough.

So, I was level par through nine, then I bogeyed holes one and two, birdied three, then bogeyed four and five. I think I doubled six and bogeyed the last. Just rough, rough, rough, rough, rough!

I just didn’t drive it well enough. I was hitting it into the rough, and you just can’t play out of the rough well from here, especially because it’s so thick. Then around the greens, the pins are tucked, and if you hit it in the wrong spots, it’s tough to get up and down and you can easily make a double bogey.

The support was great though. I saw friends, family, UAE National Team members, so it was good to see them out there.

But I am disappointed. I’ve done well here before, but of course it’s a different set-up and a different atmosphere. I wanted to do better, but it’s all part of the learning experience and part of the process.

I’m still new as a professional. I’m not on the DP World Tour, but I’m trying to be, so it’s going to take a few steps to reach this level. I’m willing to put in the work and hopefully work my way up to it.

I don’t know, maybe I put too much pressure on myself, but I gave it my all and it just wasn’t meant to be today.

But that’s golf. I’m sure everyone has bad scores. It’s another day tomorrow and we go again and try to go low. I’m going to come out here in the morning, do my warm-up again and try to hit the best shot I can on every hole.

BEAT STREET

The New Foodie HQ

rand new for 2026, Eat Street debuts as a dedicated foodie hub with 12 distinctive food trucks, seating, and a giant LED screen streaming live golf, so you never miss a shot while grabbing lunch. Expect big flavours, from MrBeast Burger’s smash burgers, to Salt’s cult-favourite sliders, Topgolf’s crowd-pleasing casual bites, Vietnamese Foodies’ fresh pho, Wingstop’s bold hand-sauced wings, modern Mexican flavours from La Morita, classics from Pret a Manger, hearty eats from BŌTA, plus Costa Coffee for that essential midafternoon boost.

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 three consecutive years. 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 as part of the Dubai Can initiative.

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.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Record your steps whilst on the course today, register to win some amazing prizes

Leaderboard RANKING

ADVAY ROY 30,170 2. EVELIN GOTTLOB 25,725 3. PHAM CAOHIEN 24,033 4. JH BOZON 20,803 5. JETTE HANNERUP 16,939

Daily Prizes

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

TOURNAMENT TOWN