Dubai: Built in the late eighties by renowned golf course architect Karl Litten, the Emirates Golf Club’s 7,328-yard Majlis course has a reputation of being both a beauty and a beast, a double edge sword that sets it apart from the other championship courses in the Middle East.
Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy got a dose of reality 12 months ago when the supremely gifted Northern Irishman blew a two-shot lead on the final round with a pair of bogeys, including one on the infamous par-4 11th hole, to hand China’s Li Haotong a historic maiden triumph in the $3.2 million tournament.
Notwithstanding, the magical Majlis has many a happy tale to tell, among the most popular being four-time Major champion Ernie Els’ record-setting three wins (1994, 2002, 2005) and Tiger Woods, who at the peak of his powers, registered two unforgettable victories, in 2006 and 2008.
As the Classic celebrates a milestone 30th edition this week, it seems certain that another glorious chapter will be added to the tournament’s rich history that boats a celebrity roll call of winners, no less than the legendary Seve Ballesteros (1992), Ernie Els (1994, 2002 2005), Fred Couples (1995), Jose Maria Olazabal (1998), Mark O’Meara (2004), Henrik Stenson (2007) and Rory McIlroy (2009, 2015).
An all-star field of 132 players from 32 countries, led by the world No. 5 Bryson DeChambeau, will descend on Dubai’s famous sporting landmark where Els set a course record 11-under par 61 in 1994 — a record which has stood the test of time.
DeChambeau makes his first appearance as a professional at the event where in 2016 he won the Amateur Medal for the lowest score by an amateur following rounds of 70-69-68-69.
The 25-year-old American finished joint 18th behind the winner, England’s Danny Willett on that occasion, but will tee-off this week as one of the favourites to upstage the likes of England’s Tommy Fleetwood (world rank 15), South African Louis Oosthuizen (#25), 2017 winner Sergio Garcia (#27) and the former Dubai resident and 2007 champion, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
DeChambeau, who has strung together five PGA Tour victories dating back to The Memorial last June and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in November, was brimming with confidence and enthusiasm as he weighed-up his chances over the next four days in Dubai.
“The game is in great shape, I’m hitting it well, putting it well,” he said at the Emirates Golf Club (EGC) on Wednesday. “I’m honestly just excited to try and capture an international victory. That’s really what I want to do this week.”
Asked what the key was to playing the Majlis, DeChambeau said without the slightest hesitation: “The driving aspect of it.
“It’s so difficult out here to drive it in the fairway every single hole. You’re going to hit it in the rough, so if you’re a guy that can hit most of the fairways, you’re going to have a great chance to win. You’re going to putt decent.
“I know I’m a great ball-striker, but [need to] see how good I am. It will be a good test.”
To do so DeChambeau will once again rely on irons and wedges, which are cut to exactly the same length (37.5 inches) and are fitted with the largest hand grips.
Meanwhile, China’s Li Haotong, who clinched his second European Tour title on the Majlis Course last year, will be aiming to become only the second player to successfully defend his title after Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, who won back-to-back events in 2013 and 2014.
Haotong set a record winning score of 23 under par to become the first Asian player to lift the Dallah trophy, an Arabic coffee pot.
After his stunning victory last week in Abu Dhabi, Ireland’s Shane Lowry will be hoping to keep the momentum going and stake a strong claim for unique back-to-back victories in the desert swing. Lowry’s only PGA Tour victory came at 2015’s $9.2 million World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at Memphis, Tennessee, but the 31-year-old, who turned pro after winning the 2009 Irish Open, clearly has the tools to deliver again.
“I suppose it’s been a bit of a whirlwind couple of days,” he said “I’m obviously very happy to have won again. Really enjoyed the last couple days and I’m going to try and enjoy this week as much as I can.”
Stenson, who was based in Dubai for over 10 years, said: “It’s been a good hunting ground, Great weather, great practice facilities, a good golf course, good event, and strong competition … everything you really like.
“I think one of the main things that I really like with this golf course is it never really seems to play the same day-in and day-out.”
Beauty or beast, the enduring appeal of the iconic Majlis Course is set for another exhilarating four days of the finest golf the sport has to offer.
