Dubai: The DP World Tour will return to the Middle East seven times in 2025, launching the season with the Team Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The three-day match play contest, running from January 10-12, will see Major champions Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose lead their Continental Europe and GB&I teams, respectively, under the guidance of Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald.
Following Abu Dhabi, the Tour will head to Dubai for the 36th Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where Rory McIlroy will aim for a record fifth title at Emirates Golf Club from January 16.
The action continues with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on January 23 and the Bahrain Championship returning for its second edition on January 30.
Season finale
An additional Middle Eastern tournament is slated for February 6, likely the Qatar Masters.
As the season wraps up, the Tour will return to the UAE for the Race to Dubai finale, featuring the DP World Tour Play-Offs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, reserved for the top 70 in the Rankings, tees off on November 6, before the leading 50 advance to the season-ending event, the DP World Tour Championship, on November 13.
Tom Phillips, Director of Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “The 2025 DP World Tour promises another drama-packed, extraordinary season for our fans in the Middle East and around the world.
“With the return of the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, followed by iconic events such as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, the Bahrain Championship, and the season-ending DP World Tour Play-Offs in the UAE, we are bringing world-class golf to the growing communities of fans in the region who share our passion for the game.
Record prize fund
“The DP World Tour’s commitment to a truly global schedule is stronger than ever, and we’re excited to showcase the talent, thrill, and unity that golf brings to every corner of the globe.”
In total, the 2025 calendar will feature a minimum of 42 Race to Dubai tournaments across at least 26 countries, with players competing for a record $153 million prize fund outside of the Major Championships.
For the second consecutive year, the season will include three distinct phases: five “Global Swings,” the “Back 9,” and the “DP World Tour Play-Offs” in November 2025.
Beyond the Middle East, the Turkish Open (May 8-11) and Austrian Open (May 29 — June 1) make their return to the Tour after brief absences.
The Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa will also rejoin the schedule as part of the “Opening Swing” at the close of 2024.
New venues in the new year
The Genesis Scottish Open (July 10-13) and BMW PGA Championship (September 11-14) will be back as Rolex Series events, joining the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and DP World Tour Championship.
Some new venues also feature on the 2025 schedule. In the ‘Back 9’, the FedEx Open de France, continental Europe’s oldest national Open, moves to Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Breteche for its 107th edition due to work taking place at Le Golf National. It is the first time the tournament has been played there since 1982 when Seve Ballesteros was triumphant.
Also in the ‘Back 9’, the Amgen Irish Open returns to The K Club, the venue that hosted the tournament in 2023 and will do so again in 2027.
Meanwhile, in the Global Swings, the Italian Open moves to Argentario Golf Club in Tuscany, the ISCO Championship will be played at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, and the Danish Golf Championship switches to Fureso Golf Klub in Birkerod, near Copenhagen, for the first time.
Diversity of places and cluture
Guy Kinnings, the DP World Tour’s Chief Executive, said: “Our 2025 schedule once again demonstrates and celebrates the truly global nature of the DP World Tour.
“The introduction of the Global Swings in the current season has given us a strong, clear narrative that showcases the diversity of our membership and the places and cultures we visit. This will be further enhanced through the return of national Opens in Turkey and Austria in the first phase of our 2025 season.
“Then, as we have seen in recent weeks with great success in terms of attendance, viewing figures and compelling drama, the Back 9 provides a real opportunity for our Tour internationally as we build momentum into the Play-Offs. We therefore also look forward to building on this in our 2025 season.
“Our thanks go to our partners, broadcasters, promoters, federations and partner Tours for their support and commitment to the DP World Tour and for helping us to create this schedule for the 2025 season that will appeal to our members and our fans globally.”
