Rafa Cabrera Bello: Proud of my achievements in UAE so far this season

Sunday was my last round of my 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. I shot a four-over par 76, for a four-round total of two-over and 290. I went out in 39 shots with bogeys on holes 3, 6, 8 and 9. Then another on hole 12 and managed my solitary birdie on hole 17 and came home in 37.

To summarise my round, I tended to miss greens on the short side which meant my short game was under pressure. The Majlis is the type of course where you can get on a roll, with birdies, especially on the back nine, which is always gettable in most eyes on tour, with three par 5s.

My front nine just had negative momentum which can happen some days. So, in the end it was probably my approach shots that were my weakness.

I am very proud to finish tied second and tied 47th in my first two tournaments of the season, both Rolex Series events in the UAE on the DP World Tour. That is far more lucrative that tied 44th in both weeks.

HEre is the summary of my stats for the week alongside those of champ Viktor Hovland:

Eagles: 0 (Rafa), 2 (Viktor)

Birdies: 13, 18

Pars: 45, 43

Bogeys: 13, 8

Worse: 1, 1

The comparison seems to suggest I needed more birdies in my golf this week.

As a Dubai resident, I am also excited to see how the combined governments of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have handled the government health challenges in the country and from overseas. To have four events in arow and six in a season must be almost unique.

I have confirmed my entry into the Ras Al Khaimah Classic to be held at Al Hamra Golf Club, one hour’s down the road from my home, from February 10-13, so I will be back in uae action soon. Thanks for everyone’s continued support over the last two weeks.

Rafa Cabrera Bello is an Ambassador for JA Resorts and Hotels and is a Dubai resident. The 37-year-old has four victories on the DP World Tour and represented Europe in the Ryder Cup in 2016.