Dubai: The fact that the last two Omega Dubai Desert Classic winners — Danny Willett and Sergio Garcia — have both gone on to the win the Masters in the same year, speaks volumes of the UAE tournament, according to event official David Spencer.
Willett secured the ‘Dallah’ Coffee Pot trophy in February 2016 two months before going on to claim his first Major at Augusta, and Garcia did exactly the same on Sunday, two months after his Dubai victory, beating Justin Rose in a playoff after both finished on nine under par.
Of course, this could just be because both players were playing well, and both were settled in their private lives. Willett became a father for the first time just before his Masters triumph, and Garcia got engaged just before his Dubai win. Record 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus has often stressed the affect a stable marriage had on his on-course success.
But Spencer, who was an advisor to the Desert Classic’s previous organisers Golf in Dubai, and continues that role for the event’s new organisers Falcon and Associates following this year’s handover, said Dubai also played a part.
“The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is called the Major of the Middle East for a very good reason,” he said.
“It’s called that for the strength of its field, the course quality and its past champions roll of honour.”
Therefore, he said, whoever emerges victorious in Dubai, is not only capable but also confident of pulling off success at Augusta, making the early season event “a good barometer” for the first Major of the year.
“While both courses — the Majlis and Augusta — are completely different, the strategy is similar and shot selection is key,” he added.
“Augusta is more demanding with the driver in your hand, but fairway position and shots into the green are very demanding at the Majlis.
“The greens at the Majlis are less undulating than Augusta but our greens are very, very quick.
“So, it’s a good barometer because the players feel it can shape the first half of their season. Shape in the sense, they get to know what they are doing well and what they have to work on.
“Let’s not forget that like the Masters, The Dallah Coffee Pot is also a trophy that players genuinely want their names on.”
While Dubai may have some logical claim to indicating who might win the Green Jacket, Spencer also had a superstitious reason.
“I would also point out that Danny’s caddie number in 2016 at Augusta was 89 and Sergio’s caddie number was also 89 …
Either way, whatever it is, he said: “It’s great for the Desert Classic and Dubai.”
Willett had previously credited Dubai for teeing up his Masters success.
“This was the start of an amazing season,” he reminisced on the sidelines of this year’s event. “It was big for my confidence and big for the things that ultimately went after that.”
Whatever the reasons, whoever wins next year’s Desert Classic will surely fancy their chances when it comes to the 2018 Masters.
