Dubai: Some of the biggest names in world golf descend on the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, the second Rolex Series event of the new-look DP World Tour season.
A field of 132 players are in the field for four days of action in Dubai, with the likes of World No 2 Collin Morikawa, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Norway’s Viktor Hovland going for glory alongside defending champion Paul Casey and other global stars such as Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Sergio Garcia.
Following on from last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Desert Classic is part of a four-week swing in the UAE, with two events in Ras Al Khaimah to come starting next week.
Here are five players to watch this week in Dubai and what a win here would mean to them:
Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
Rank: No. 22
The Englishman faded in the defence of his Abu Dhabi title last week, showing his frustration at times as he knows he has the game to claim more titles in the Middle East.
What he said: “You are still feeling your game out at that stage of the year, but if you get in contention, your head gets into a more competitive place and if you can grab the win, the confidence grows and grows.”
Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
Rank: No 102
Dubai resident Cabrera Bello narrowly missed out on the title in the UAE capital at the first Rolex Series event of the season, as Thomas Pieters pipped him by one stroke. With Emirates Golf Club a course he has known well and played countless times over the years, he could pick up his second Dubai title.
What he said: “To even be here is great. I got so close but just missed out to Thomas on Yas Links in Abu Dhabi. It is another huge Rolex Series event in Dubai and I hope to keep up the momentum. We are so lucky to have these events back-to-back in the UAE and we have four weeks in one location, really.”
Collin Morikawa (USA)
Rank: No 2
The American Ryder Cup star won the Open Championship and DP World Tour Championship last season and, following a struggle on Yas links last week, will be out to make amends.
What he said: “I didn’t know where the golf ball was going in Abu Dhabi. We are trying to get back to my old swing and trying to get back to what I know I can do. I still have a couple of things I’ve got to work out, but I’m in a much better position right now versus last week. I have a fresh mind and ready to go.”
Sergio Garcia (ESP)
Rank: No 42
The Spain veteran is back in his stride and feeling confident after a winter break. having gone through a mini-drought, the 42-year-old has his eye back in and is targeting success on a course where he won the title in 2017 before going on to claim the Masters at Augusta.
What he said: “Every year, to start nicely gives you confidence for the campaign. It relaxes you and all the little things can add up. However, it is not the end of the world if you struggle as you still have a long season ahead.”
Shane Lowry (IRE)
Rank: No 49
The 2019 Open Champion and Abu Dhabi winner has flirted with success since he arrived on tour in 2009. The big-hitting Irishman is relishing the enlarged greens at Emirates Golf Club as he hunts his first title here.
What he said: “Winning here early gives you a boost and really eases the pressure for the rest of the season. Every time I have come out to play in the Middle East it is after a good long break over Christmas, so you are never quite sure what will happen. But if you can knock off one of the early ones it certainly adds to your confidence.”