The world’s top golfers who are based in the UAE

Rafa Cabrera-Bello: The Spanish golfer has lived in Dubai for more than a decade now, leading the trend of many of the top golfers setting up home here to take advantage of the weather and many elite golf courses.

Adri Arnaus: One of the many Spanish golfers who have moved over to the UAE, Arnaus first shot to prominence when he won the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final at the Al Hamra Golf Club in 2018, and he is back in the UAE every chance he gets. Of his 2018 triumph, he said: “It is a dream come true. We will head to Dubai to celebrate, dinner is going to be on me tonight so whoever wants to join is more than welcome.”

Adrian Otaegui: The 28-year-old from — you guessed it — Spain is one of the latest additions to homeowners in the UAE. He made his name in the region in the 2018 Race to Dubai season finale at the DP World Tour Championship, finishing joint-fourth behind champ Danny Willett. When he is not on European Tour travels, Otaegui is usually relaxing in his UAE home away from home.

Henrik Stenson: One of the UAE’s oldest and most popular sporting residents, Stenson is a former golf world No. 1, and has a host of triumphs in the region including two Race to Dubai titles and two DP World Tour Championship crowns. “I obviously know lots of the courses in Dubai and they are always in fantastic condition. The climate can perfect for golf.”

Renato Paratore: Big things are expected of this young Italian golfer, who has already won three top professional titles at the age of 24, including the British Masters. With a new residency in Dubai, he will be hoping the facilities and conditions can help him reach the heights of Stenson and Co.

Alvaro Quiros: Another of the Spanish armada, Quiros has seen the golfing scene evolve in the UAE, having been competing here for 20 years. He achieved a rare double in 2011 as he claimed both the Dubai Desert Classic and World Tour Championship in the city he now calls home.

Thomas Bjorn: The triumphant 2018 European Ryder Cup captain can be seen playing the UAE courses more and more for fun as he edges into retirement from the professional golfing scene, and his famous scowl is more often replaced with a smile as he is playing for leisure rather than serious competition.

Ernie Els: The South African can lay claim to a piece of UAE heritage that few others can match. Not only is the two-time major champion and former world No. 1 a regular on the greens in the UAE, he also designed and launched his very own course — The Els Club — at Dubai Sports City.

Alison Muirhead: The Scottish Ladies European Tour star lives in Emirates Hills with her parents and family and can often be spotted working out at the European Tour Performance Institute in Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and claimed her LET card in 2020 thanks to winning the Emirates Ladies Amateur Open.

Colin Montgomerie: The Scotsman is regarded as the greatest golfer never to win a major. Now taking it easier on the Seniors tour (where he has clocked up three majors) Monty can be seen during the winter months enjoying a round on his very own course at Montgomerie, Emirates Hills.