Dubai: His confidence on a high after swinging his way into record books, Bryson DeChambeau is primed for a fresh challenge — his maiden appearance in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club, from February 4 to 7.
The 22-year-old Californian announced his arrival on the world stage in an emphatic manner when he won the US Amateur in August earlier this year, becoming the fifth player to win the tournament and the NCAA individual title in the same year.
The achievement puts him in the elite company of Jack Nicklaus (1961), Phil Mickelson (1990), Tiger Woods (1996) and Ryan Moore (2004) as the only other players to win the NCAA and Amateur titles in one season.
“I’m in golf history, I can’t believe it, but it’s an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as these legends of the game,” said DeChambeau.
“It will be my first visit to Dubai, but I have heard many good things about the city from fellow players and know the tournament attracts a very strong field each year.
“If you look at the roll of honours, it’s so impressive with some of the greatest players in the game such as Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy becoming proud owners of the giant Arabian Coffee Pot that holds special significance to the players,” said DeChambeau, who made his PGA Tour debut in June 2015 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic, finishing in 45th place.
Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAI’, said: “Rory [McIlroy] also first played in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as an amateur in 2006, and today he is a world-class player.”
