Here To Stay?

After its successful rescue mission in 2022, Al Hamra returns to the DP World Tour with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship

By Matt Smith

BY THE NUMBERS 3

Times the DP World Tour has held RAK event

3

Challenge Tour events took place at Al Hamra

Just over a year ago, as COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc across the globe and sporting events were getting cancelled left, right and centre, an unlikely — or at least unexpected — hero emerged to rescue the DP World Tour’s Middle East Swing.

With the Saudi International headed to its new home on the Asian Tour and the likes of the Oman Open and Qatar Masters falling victim to the pandemic, two big holes emerged on the early part of the old European Tour’s 2022 schedule.

Enter Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah. Thanks to some quick thinking and even quicker organisation, Al Hamra was able to step in at the last minute and host two backto-back events in February, meaning a record four DP World Tour tournaments in a row were held in the emirates — and the so-called ‘UAE Swing’ replaced the Middle East Swing.

2

DPWT wins for RAK champ Nicolai Højgaard

10

Number of DPWT starts for Nicolai’s second win — in RAK

the dane man

Nicolai Højgaard will be back to defend his Ras Al Khaimah title at Al Hamra Golf Club

Following the success of the two competitions — the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and Ras Al Khaimah Classic — Al Hamra has been rewarded with a minimum of three years on the DP World Tour calendar to host the RAK Championship.

The final of four UAE events on the early part of the DP World Tour schedule, the RAK Championship is back to bring the curtain down following the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, and back-to-back Rolex Series events, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Dubai Desert Classic, at Yas Links and Emirates Golf Club respectively.

During the inaugural edition of the RAK Championship, Dane Nicolai Højgaard emerged victorious to claim his second DP World Tour title, thrilling the crowds with an erratic final day of wayward shots and fantastic recoveries before emerging with a four-stroke victory over England’s Jordan Smith, and fans can expect another thriller this time around.

“This is another significant milestone for Ras Al Khaimah as we welcome the world’s best golfers over the next three years,” said Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Following the success of the inaugural edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour, we are excited to be welcoming back some of the biggest names in golf for a second edition.

“As one of the fastest growing destinations in the region we are proud to be able to showcase Ras Al Khaimah as a leading nature, adventure and sporting destination in the region.”

Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra, added: “It was a privilege for Al Hamra Golf Club to host the very first DP World Tour event in the Emirate in 2022, and we’re thrilled that some of the world’s finest golfers will return next year for the second edition.”

After a rigorous time in the UAE, some of the top stars will be expected to skip the RAK event and, while the field is yet to be announced, the competition can offer some of the Tour’s lesser lights an opportunity to shine — while also targeting exemption and a nice earner, with $300,000 going to the winner in the $2 million event.

That’s well worth a trip to the picturesque Al Hamra Golf Club for players and fans alike.