HDDC26 Daily News Round 3

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REED REACHES SUMMIT

Patrick Reed produced a flawless second-round performance to take the clubhouse lead at the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, firing a bogey-free sixunder-par 66 to move to the top of the leaderboard at the US$9 million Rolex Series event on the DP World Tour.

One shot clear of Andy Sullivan, the 2018 Masters Champion backed up his opening 69 with a far more controlled display on Friday, taking advantage of calmer early conditions on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course to post one of the rounds of the day in Dubai.

“You know, pretty good warmup this morning,” Reed said. “I feel like yesterday I hit the ball decent. Just kind of hard to tell with how hard that wind was blowing. Game felt good.

“Kind of went out there and gave myself a lot of good looks, good opportunities, and only missing one green today, that definitely helps.”

Reed’s ball-striking was the standout statistic, missing just a single green in regulation, and even that error left him a straightforward recovery.

“I went around this place, hit 17 greens and the one I missed was in the fairway, basic chip,” he added. “You’re able to do that around this type of golf course, you’re able to shoot a number, and I was lucky enough to see a couple putts go in early and it just went from there.”

Reed admitted the difference between his opening round and his bogey-free Friday was both strategic and situational, after Thursday’s blustery conditions punished anything slightly off-line. His first-round card featured only six pars in a rollercoaster start.

“A little bit of both,” he said. “Felt like yesterday, especially on that back nine, I tried to do too much. Tried to take on shots that I probably shouldn’t have especially with the conditions and how the greens were, and because of that, short-sided myself a couple times in the rough.”

Overnight leader Francesco Molinari wasn’t able to repeat Thursday’s fireworks and had to settle for a level-par 72, leaving him in third place alongside fellow countryman Andrea Pavan. Meanwhile, defending champion Tyrrell Hatton signed for a three-under 69 to sit in a tie for sixth.

Ahmad Skaik

The

Tournament

Weather Watch

LEADERBOARD

Rank

1

2

T3

T3 MOLINARI, Francesco (ITA) -7

5 HØJGAARD, Nicolai (DEN) -6

T6

T6

T6

T6

T6 DU PLESSIS, Hennie (RSA) -5

Rory DubaiEyes Comeback

Number Two improves on day two despite tough conditions

Rory McIlroy signed for a second-round 69 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on Friday, improving on his opening round as Emirates Golf Club presented again a stiff challenge.

Strong winds and firm greens on the back nine tested the world-class field, but McIlroy navigated the conditions with restrained aggression and clever shot selection.

“I felt like I did pretty well. Conditions got trickier as the day went on… you have to pick-and-choose your spots when to be aggressive,” McIlroy said.

The World Number Two focused on taking advantage of the par 5s while avoiding mistakes on the tighter holes. He struck a number of excellent iron shots and rolled several putts that narrowly missed, leaving him in a confident place

heading into the weekend in search of his fifth Dallah trophy.

Despite a couple of frustrating closing holes, the Northern Irishman remains well-positioned.

“I had a lot of putts that looked like they were going to go in but didn’t… I gave myself plenty of opportunities.

“I’ve got a tee time tomorrow and hopefully shoot a good one and get right back in contention,” he added.

McIlroy sits seven shots back of early pacesetter Patrick Reed, but he knows the leaderboard can shift quickly. Recalling his previous comeback in this event in 2024, he said:

“I came from ten behind a couple of years ago to win… if I post a low one tomorrow, I’ll be right in the mix come Sunday.”

Where to Watch

The Best (and New) Viewing Spots

One of the best parts of Hero Dubai Desert Classic? You’re never far from the action. Fans can move between multiple viewing areas, from classic grandstands to lively deck-style terraces and bars, perfect for staying close to the golf while keeping the day social. Key viewing points include: the 1st Tee Grandstand, the15th green Grandstand, the 11th green Emirates Deck, the Public Bar & Viewing Deck (a two-tier terrace with panoramic views of the 6th, 12th and 14th tees), Social on Sixteen (pictured left) featuring an alfresco brunch and new Emirates Golf Club Viewing Deck (pictured above). There’s also a new way to catch the action while grabbing food and drinks: Eat Street is a culinary hub with 12 distinctive food trucks, seating, and a giant LED screen streaming live golf, so you never miss a shot.

THOUGHTS FROM THE FIELD

ANDY SULLIVAN

“I was confident going out there today and playing well.”

ANDREA PAVAN

“Never really had much success around here. But yeah, happy to have had a good start.”

“It’s always tough to follow a day like yesterday but I played solid.”

TYRRELL HATTON

“Holing out on 17 was cool. The fact that even Rory was impressed shows it was a good shot.”

Notpla, a seaweed-based packaging innovator to implement sustainable solution at 2027 tournament

GOLF GOING GREEN

The Green Incubator Challenge, a sustainability initiative of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, has achieved its mission of inviting innovators worldwide to submit bold sustainable solutions for event.

With six finalists competing, the winning entry was from Notpla, a pioneering company behind seaweedbased packaging that naturally disappears.

Following a presentation to a panel of expert judges at Emirates Golf Club ahead of the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Notpla was awarded the first place, and the UK-based company will now work with the tournament organisers to implement its innovative sustainable packaging solution at the 2027 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Notpla engineers materials and packaging to replace single-use plastic using seaweed, creating packaging that naturally disappears like a piece of fruit. As the first verified plastic-free coating in Europe, Notpla products deliver up to 79% less CO2e than conventional plastic packaging and are

ABOVE: Ali Sebti and his daughter Dalia. TOP: Notpla creates seaweed-based packaging that naturally disappears.

BOTTOM LEFT: Simon Corkill, Hero Dubai Desert Classic Executive Tournament Director.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The Green Incubator Challenge was created to identify bold, visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally. In Notpla, we have found a partner whose innovative approach to packaging aligns perfectly with our commitment to environmental leadership. We look forward to working with their team to bring this solution to life at the 2027 tournament and demonstrate what’s possible when sport and sustainability innovation come together. It’s also inspiring to see Dalia’s entry with GreenFair+AI’, which highlights how the next generation of golfer’s care about sustainability and are already masterminding viable solutions”.

Daniel Gribbin, Sustainability Lead at Deloitte, said: “The solutions presented through the Green Incubator Challenge were truly outstanding. These solutions were innovative, practical, and full of potential to transform the future of sustainable events and beyond. It has been a fantastic partnership with the HDDC and Falcon, and Deloitte is proud to support such bold ideas as we work together to build a greener and more resilient future for all.”

Pierre Paslier, Co-Founder and CEO of Notpla, said: “We’re incredibly proud and grateful to have been selected as the winner of the Green Incubator Challenge. We founded Notpla to prove that natural materials could replace plastic at scale, and this win is a powerful validation of that mission. To be chosen for one of Dubai’s most prestigious sporting events is both an honour and a responsibility, and we’re thankful to the organisers for their trust as we help set a new benchmark for sustainable packaging in global sport.”

Notpla products.

100% recyclable, home compostable, and PFAS-free. The company has already deployed its solutions at major venues including The O2 Arena, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Warner Bros. Studio London.

The highly commended award went to GreenFair+AI, an AI-powered sustainability platform, masterminded by an incredible local 12-year-old female golf fan, inspired by her time at golf events.

Having received mentorship from Deloitte, Dubai-born and raised Dalia Sebti, gave an impressive presentation with her father, Ali Sebti, on their product GreenFair+Ai, a unifying smart platform that helps event organisers turn scattered sustainability efforts into one measurable, coordinated digital ecosystem. Although Dalia did not win, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Deloitte, and the GEO Sustainable Golf Foundation appreciated her vision and dedication, and so will continue to offer guidance and mentorship to help this budding entrepreneur further develop her concept.

Dalia Sebti, Co-Founder of GreenFair+AI, said: “I loved working with my Dad on topics I really care about such as golf and sustainability and present my prototype to experienced judges. I hope now to see it transform into a fully-fledged and scalable product.”

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has established itself as a leader in sustainable sport and entertainment, becoming the first golf event in the Middle East and first within the DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status for three consecutive years. The Green Incubator Challenge marks the first time any golf event globally has launched an international competition to crowdsource sustainable event solutions. The other finalists who pitched their solutions were Green Rock Group (plastic-free paper cups), P3Global (realtime AI cooling optimisation), Takeback (closed-loop reusable cup system), and UnTap! (atmospheric water generation using solar power).

Health is Wealth

This year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic is celebrating the wide-reaching health and wellness benefits of golf, not only for players but also for spectators. As the event’s official medical sponsor, Mediclinic proudly supports this initiative by offering visitors a chance to explore innovative tools and activities that promote health and wellbeing.

The Step Fore It Challenge, Presented by Mediclinic encourages visitors to stay active by motivating them to get their steps in each day, reinforcing the importance of movement for long-term health and wellbeing.

Visit the Mediclinic stand to experience Capsula, an innovative health hub that provides quick and personalised health assessments. Capsula measures essential health parameters such as blood pressure, ageing levels, psycho-physical wellbeing and body composition, helping visitors take a proactive approach to managing their health.

Adding a dynamic and competitive element to the stand, Mediclinic’s reaction wall challenges visitors to test their reflexes and emphasises the importance of staying mentally alert and physically active in everyday life and sports. The stand also features a VALD grip strength assessment, challenging participants to compare their muscular strength. Together, these activities create an engaging environment that encourages friendly competition while promoting the value of physical and cognitive fitness.

Whether you’re enjoying the thrilling golf action or exploring ways to enhance your wellness, Mediclinic’s stand is a must visit at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026.

20 YEARS ON FROM TIGER WOODS’ FIRST DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC TROPHY

TIGER TIME

“Today was a day that I’m very proud of and I hung in there.”

Undoubtedly, the biggest name to have won the “Major of the Middle East” is none other than Tiger Woods, and he did it twice.

Here we relive that magical moment 20 years ago when, at the time, world number one Tiger Woods beat the defending champion Ernie Els in a sudden-death play-off after a classic final-day duel over the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club.

THROWBACK

The two giants of the game finished the regulation 72 holes tied on 19 under par, before Woods captured the Dallah Trophy for the first time in just his third attempt, winning at the first extra hole.

As the drama unfolded on that Sunday afternoon, any one of half a dozen players could have lifted the trophy, but in the end it was the

TOP: The ever-changing view from the 8th tee.

BOTTOM LEFT: Woods beat Ernie Els in a sudden-death play-off.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Woods with the famous Dallah trophy.

BELOW: Victory came in just his third start on the Majlis.

greatest player of a generation who claimed the title and the €329,760 first prize. A far cry from the €1,400,000 first place on offer these days.

Dane Anders Hansen put up a brave fight, but the putts refused to drop as he closed with a 71 to finish on 17 under par, a score matched by Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez after a 69. Double US Open champion Retief Goosen was also in the hunt throughout, but the leaders remained out of reach as he closed with a 71 to finish a shot further back.

Coming down the stretch, it was the Australian left-hander Richard Green who held the upper hand as he reeled off a run of four birdies in five holes to edge one ahead playing the last. However, his attempt to cut off the corner on the dog-leg 18th finished among the trees, resulting in a bogey and a closing 68 for an 18 under par total.

Els and Woods, who had just birdied the 17th after a towering drive found the green, both needed to birdie the last to edge past Green. Els rose to the task, finding the putting surface in two shots and safely two-putting for a 67 to post the clubhouse target of 19 under par. Woods, in the final group, was prowling as he managed to get up and down from the back fringe for a 69 to take the contest into a play-off.

With his phenomenal record in play-offs, having lost only once in his previous 13 attempts at the time, he was not about to suffer a second defeat. After hitting a perfect drive while Els turned his over slightly and found the sand among the trees, Woods hit his approach to the back of the green. The Big Easy rekindled memories of his 2002 victory when he had struck a four-iron second shot at the same hole. Attempting to repeat the feat with the same club, it came up just short, finding the water guarding the front of the green. From there, Els made bogey, leaving Woods with three to win, which he duly took.

It was the American’s second victory in successive weeks, following his playoff win at the Buick Invitational on the PGA Tour in his first start of the year the week before.

“It’s a good start,” said Woods. “I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. Two play-offs too. Very stressful, but I was somehow able to come out on top. I don’t know how, but I was very fortunate today.

“Today was a day that I’m very proud of and I hung in there just like I did last week. I stayed around, made some key putts and saves, and hit some crucial shots that allowed me to get into a play-off both times.

“It’s a pretty good feeling when you’re able to do that and turn things around like that.”

ORDER OF PLAY

SATURDAY

JANUARY

24, 2026

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

1. TIME 07:05 HOLE 1

◼ Adrian MERONK (POL) +1

◼ Freddy SCHOTT (GER) +1

2. TIME 07:14 HOLE 1

◼ Rikuya HOSHINO (JPN) +1

◼ Jeff WINTHER (DEN) +1

3. TIME 07:23 HOLE 1

◼ Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) +1

◼ Laurie CANTER (ENG) +1

4. TIME 07:32 HOLE 1

◼ Joel GIRRBACH (SUI) +1

◼ Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) +1

5. TIME 07:41 HOLE 1

◼ Dylan FRITTELLI (RSA) +1

◼ Michael HOLLICK (RSA) +1

6. TIME 07:50 HOLE 1

◼ Julien GUERRIER (FRA) +1

◼ Jacques KRUYSWIJK (RSA) PAR

7. TIME 07:59 HOLE 1

◼ Victor PEREZ (FRA) PAR

◼ Ross FISHER (ENG) PAR

8. TIME 08:08 HOLE 1

◼ Casey JARVIS (RSA) PAR

◼ Jeong weon KO (FRA) PAR

9. TIME 08:17 HOLE 1

◼ Manuel ELVIRA (ESP) PAR

◼ Yuto KATSURAGAWA (JPN) PAR

10. TIME 08:26 HOLE 1

◼ Angel AYORA (ESP) PAR

◼ Richie RAMSAY (SCO) PAR

11. TIME 08:40 HOLE 1

◼ Marcel SCHNEIDER (GER) PAR

◼ Angel HIDALGO (ESP) PAR

12. TIME 08:49 HOLE 1

◼ Grant FORREST (SCO) -1

◼ Thomas DETRY (BEL) -1

13. TIME 08:58 HOLE 1

◼ Frederic LACROIX (FRA)

◼ Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP)

14. TIME 09:07 HOLE 1

◼ Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG)

◼ Romain LANGASQUE (FRA)

15. TIME 09:16 HOLE 1

◼ Ugo COUSSAUD (FRA)

◼ Alex FITZPATRICK (ENG)

16. TIME 09:25 HOLE 1

◼ Rasmus NEERGAARD-PETERSEN (DEN) -1

◼ Ivan CANTERO (ESP)

17. TIME 09:34 HOLE 1

◼ Alejandro DEL REY (ESP)

◼ Sean CROCKER (USA)

18. TIME 09:43 HOLE 1

◼ Darius VAN DRIEL (NED)

◼ Marcus ARMITAGE (ENG)

19. TIME 09:52 HOLE 1

◼ Nicolai VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER) -1

◼ Johannes VEERMAN (USA)

20. TIME 10:06 HOLE 1

◼ Ryan FOX (NZL)

◼ Rory MCILROY (NIR)

21. TIME 10:15 HOLE 1

◼ Zander LOMBARD (RSA)

◼ Ashun WU (CHN)

22. TIME 10:25 HOLE 1

◼ Rafa CABRERA BELLO (ESP)

◼ Joost LUITEN (NED)

23. TIME 10:35 HOLE 1 ◼ Martin COUVRA (FRA)

Jens DANTORP (SWE)

24. TIME 10:45 HOLE 1 ◼ Daniel HILLIER (NZL)

Viktor HOVLAND (NOR)

25. TIME 10:55 HOLE 1 ◼ Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN)

David MICHELUZZI (AUS) -2

26. TIME 11:05 HOLE 1 ◼ Dan BRADBURY (ENG) -2 ◼ Christiaan MAAS (AM) (RSA) -3

27. TIME 11:15 HOLE 1 ◼ Shane LOWRY (IRL) -3

Ricardo GOUVEIA (POR) -3

28. TIME 11:25 HOLE 1 ◼ JC RITCHIE (IRL) -3

Tom MCKIBBIN (POR) -3 29. TIME 11:40 HOLE 1

Niklas LEMKE (SWE) -3

Ewen FERGUSON (SCO) -3

30. TIME 11:50 HOLE 1 ◼ Wenyi DING (CHN) -4 ◼ David PUIG (ESP) -4

31. TIME 12:00 HOLE 1

◼ Hennie DU PLESSIS (RSA) -5

Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) -5

32. TIME 12:10 HOLE 1 ◼ Mikael LINDBERG (SWE) -5 ◼ Oliver LINDELL (FIN) -5

33. TIME 12:20 HOLE 1

◼ Jayden SCHAPER (RSA) -5

◼ Nicolai HØJGAARD (DEN) -6

34. TIME 12:30 HOLE 1

◼ Francesco MOLINARI (ITA) -7

◼ Andrea PAVAN (ITA) -7

35. TIME 12:40 HOLE 1

◼ Andy SULLIVAN (ENG) -8

◼ Patrick REED (USA) -9

“I tried to enjoy it as much as I could”

DAILY DIARY with AHMAD SKAIK

Itried to enjoy it as much as I could, but it’s hard to really enjoy yourself when you’re playing in tough conditions and struggling a bit with both your swing and your mentality, of course.

The swing doesn’t change from day-to-day. I think the mental side plays a big part. I’d just played two rounds in really tough conditions on a course that is extremely challenging.

I had so plenty of good putts that didn’t drop. Many of my putts shaved the hole. So, it is what it is.

There were obviously more people watching me today – more of my family members, my parents, my friends. But I don’t think that affected me. I just struggled and couldn’t find a rhythm.

I played a better front nine today, with just a bogey on seven and nine, but then two bad holes in a row on the back nine really killed me.

I feel that on a course set up like this, a DP World Tour Rolex Series event, you can’t really chase a score because the pins are all in such tough positions. You can’t really go straight at them with a four-iron or a five-iron. So, I was just trying to play smart golf.

I thought I was doing well on the front nine, but then the back nine let me down. So, it is what it is.

The support was amazing. I didn’t expect so many people to come out. I’m really grateful to everyone who came and supported me, and hopefully next time we’ll get a better result.

CENTRE STAGE

Asurprise WICKED performance from Broadway Entertainment Group will enchant Tournament Town from 3:00pm to 3:30pm, followed by a 3:30pm–3:45pm meet-and-greet with Elphaba and Glinda, where children and families will be guided onstage for photos. This special appearance offers a taste of the global phenomenon that has captivated over 65 million theatregoers, featuring iconic musical moments such as “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good.” Centred on the powerful story of two extraordinary young women whose friendship shapes their destinies, WICKED brings its spellbinding themes of sisterhood, identity, and empowerment to life in a once-in-a-lifetime moment of pure magic.

Heroes of Hope

DP World Tour’s Paul Waring and Peter Cowen Academy coaches, joined Heroes of Hope, the UAE’s largest sports academy for children and young adults with special needs, for an exclusive masterclass during the Hero Dubai Desert Classic earlier this week.

Founded by Hollie Murphy, Heroes of Hope develops sporting, social, and interpersonal skills for People of Determination (PODs), offering more than 18 weekly sports, health, and fitness programs, including cycling, tennis, triathlon, padel, crossfit, basketball, swimming, athletics, and gymnastics. The academy serves a community of over 800 athletes, families, volunteers, and specialist coaches, creating an inclusive and diverse environment for participants of all nationalities.

In line with the UAE’s vision for full inclusion, Heroes of Hope’s facilities include a state-ofthe-art gym officially opened in 2022 by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The academy works to create pathways for athletes to reach their fitness potential and achieve their individual goals.

Since 2023, Heroes of Hope athletes have participated in pre-event lessons with professionals from the Peter Cowen Academy leading up to a star-led masterclass during the Hero Dubai Desert Classic week. Previous

sessions featured Thomas Pieters in 2023 and Thriston Lawrence in 2024. This year, Paul Waring provided hands-on coaching, focusing on swing technique, course strategy, and mental approach.

The masterclass highlights the continued collaboration between Heroes of Hope and elite golfers, emphasising the academy’s commitment to inclusivity and personal development.

Events like this provide athletes with unique experiences, reinforce the value of sport in building confidence and life skills, and strengthen the wider community of athletes, families, and volunteers.

Heroes of Hope continues to expand its programs and opportunities, supporting athletes with special needs in achieving their personal and sporting goals while fostering a brighter and more fulfilling future.

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.

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 STEPS 1. HIEN PHAM CAO 33,621 2. ADVAG ROY 28,061 3. KARL PACEY 20,115 4. MARK BUCKINGHAM 18,988 5. MICHAEL PAUKNER 17,717

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