ROUND 2 • FRIDAY • JANUARY 28, 2022 • ISSUE 2
, HANSEN S HINDSIGHT The Dane leads at -7 but a plethora of big names loom large in the 31-year-old’s rearview mirror entering the second round of the $8 million Rolex Series event.
STRESS-FREE VIKTOR
By Kent Gray – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East
PAGE 02
J
oachim B. Hansen is making a nice habit of 18-hole leads in Dubai. He knows how to turn an early edge in the Emirate into lasting DP World Tour glory too, although going the distance at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic this week is going to be an altogether tougher assignment than his near wire-to-wire win at the AVIV Dubai Championship in November. A bogey-free seven-under 65 earned Hansen the overnight lead at the $8 million Rolex Series event, albeit with an asterisk. When fading light forced the suspension of the opening round, Justin Harding was six-under with the eminently birdie-able 18th still to play. The 35-year-old South African, like Hansen a two-time DP World Tour winner, will return at 7.45am hoping to edge alongside or even ahead of the Dane, before a quick turnaround for his 8.40am second round tee-time. It’s not just Harding that will have had Hansen sweating on the lead though. Former champion Sergio Garcia and desert specialist Tommy Fleetwood are in a group of six at five-under, Fabrizio Zanotti included. The Paraguayan also has the 18th to complete so will fancy moving up like Harding. Just a stroke further back on four-under, meanwhile, are a gaggle of six featuring Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland, the world numbers two and five respectively. If that wasn’t slyncddc
sobering enough, the names of Scott, Westwood and Hatton light up those on three-under, further evidence, not that Hansen needed it, that winning at Emirates Golf Club is going to be far tougher than clinching the penultimate event of the 2021 season at JGE proved. “A bit of shame there wasn’t any more tournaments at the end of last year but [I’ll] try to keep it going,” said Hansen who went on to a share of 9th at the DP World Tour Championship the week after the Dubai Championship. “I’m a bit more relaxed, have a bit more belief in myself [after finishing 37th in last year’s R2D standings]. But still have to play pretty good golf to play here again in 2023. So just trying to do my best.” Hansen’s best on Thursday was as good as his postround comments were to the point. “Pretty good,” the world No. 110 said when asked for a summation of his 65. “I kept the ball in play. I didn’t drive it that well. Putted fantastic.” Friday’s galleries will no doubt swarm to the Morikawa, Rory McIlroy and Bernd Wiesberger three-ball, off the 1st tee at 12.20. McIlroy and Wiesberger will resume one-under, notably a stroke behind Dubai 17-year-old Josh Hill who got it to four-under but finished tied on 70 with Texan Sam Bennett in the race for amateur honours. Emirati No.1 Ahmad Skaik signed for a 75. slyncdubaidesertclassic.com
Norwegian world No.5 Viktor Hovland has a theory.
MORE LIKE MORIKAWA
Collin Morikawa stumbled home but is still well positioned after a 68. PAGE 03
THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MO The rise and rise of moustached South African Erik van Rooyen.. PAGE 12
Daily Draw Sheet & Course Map Navigate Emirates Golf Club with your guide to the first round groups. PAGE 8-9
PATRON & OFFICIAL PUBLISHER
#SlyncDDC #RolexSeries
2
NEWS
LEADERBOARD Rank Name (Country)
Par Score
1
HANSEN, Joachim B. (DEN)
-7
65
2
HARDING, Justin (RSA)
-6
*17
T3
LARRAZÁBAL, Pablo (ESP)
-5
67
T3
GARCIA, Sergio* (ESP)
-5
67
T3
PAVAN, Andrea* (ITA)
-5
67
T3
FLEETWOOD, Tommy (ENG)
-5
67
T3
JAIDEE, Thongchai* (THA)
-5
67
T3
ZANOTTI, Fabrizio (PAR)
-5
*17
T9
SAMOOJA, Kalle (FIN)
-4
68
T9
MORIKAWA, Collin* (USA)
-4
68
T9
GARCIA RODRIGUEZ, Sebastian (ESP) -4
68
T9
STONE, Brandon* (RSA)
-4
68
T9
HOVLAND, Viktor (NOR)
-4
68
T9
APHIBARNRAT, Kiradech* (THA) -4
68
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Stress-free
Y
Viktor Hovland is learning he doesn’t need his best to be dangerous
ou’ll have heard the golf cliché that proffers a tournament can’t be won on a Thursday but it can surely be lost. Viktor Hovland has his own theory about working ones way into contention and it extends well beyond the first round. The world No.5 is nicely in the mix at the 33rd Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, an opening 68 leaving him just three adrift of overnight leader JB Hansen. Asked what he’d garnered from his breakout 2021, where he won Tiger’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas to go with a third PGA Tour title at Mayakoba in November and his DP World Tour breakthrough at the BMW International in June, Hovland turned introspective. “I think one thing is not putting as much pressure on myself earlier in the week,” said the 24-year-old Norwegian. “Like I don’t have to play perfect to shoot a good score. Just kind of believing in my abilities and just not getting as stressed out there on the golf course.”
Hovland subscribed to his own theory in a patient outward nine played in even par before a brilliant eagle three on the 10th triggered an inward journey played four under. “It was a good day but I wish I could have taken advantage of some of the easier holes a little bit better,” Hovland said before remembering his station in life and that whole not getting stressed out thing. Just 2½ years into your professional careers, you’re up to No.5 in the world. “Yeah, that’s pretty wild. Doesn’t feel like that when I’m out on the golf course. Just trying to compete against the golf course and myself. That is a pretty cool thing to say.” It would be even cooler to call yourself the world’s best. How big an ambition is that? “Of course I’d love to but I’m going to have fun with this game regardless if it happens or not. It’s more about playing well and trying to lift some trophies, and if it comes, it comes, and if not, I’m sure I’ll be happy regardless.”
3
Shaken, not stirred
The American drawcard is in the mix but still hunting for the game that took him to world No.2 last year.
F
or 14 holes of the opening round of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, Collin Morikawa had a few folk thinking he’d might have been sandbagging in the lead-up to the $8 million Roles Series event. After a wild and windswept five-over-par tie for 62nd in Abu Dhabi last week, the world No.2 spent Monday through Wednesday desperately trying to find his game and telling anyone willing to listen about his travails. Then, in a flash, the 24-year-old raced to seven-under par through 14 holes on the Majlis and the summit of the Desert Classic’s Thursday leaderboard. It seemed he’d rediscovered the magic of his Claret Jug, WGC, DP World Tour Championship and Harry Vardon trophy winning form of 2021 in just three days of grind on the Emirates Golf Club range. The only question was how many Morikawa would lead by overnight. But golf is hard and momentum fickle. With three dropped shots in his final four holes, the Open champion had to settle for a four-under 68 and a share of 9th place place, three strokes behind leader JB Hansen. “It was a disappointing finish but I’ve been working Monday through Wednesday, even into yesterday late after the Pro-Am, trying to figure things out. When you are thinking about so much, you always have to remember to go play golf,” Morikawa said. “I’m happy with four-under. Not thrilled, but to see just some things that I’ve been working on show up on the course was really nice.” The highlights included a sumptuous up-and-down for par from the front of the par-5 13th and a chip-in birdie three on the 16 in an outward nine (Morikawa’s group teed off the 10th) negotiated in 31 strokes, six under. But after another birdie on the short 2nd, Morikawa stuttered home, a pushed approach and slightly overcooked chip on the 6th accounting for his first bogey before his drive on the 8th found a tricky line in the waste area off the 8th tee. A pushed par putt on the 9th compounded the late frustration. You said it’s as hard as you’ve worked between events to get where you wanted it. What were the things you tried to put in place?
“Everything,” Morikawa offered. “Literally once I tee the ball [up] to once I take the ball out of the cup, I’ve been thinking about everything, trying to figure out what to do. And sometimes that’s all you have and you’ve got to play with it, and that’s what I’m doing. “I’m trying to not worry about too much and just show up on the golf course, play golf, and just know what my miss is going to be, and I think that’s the biggest thing. “Even this week when I showed up on Monday, it’s going back to drills I’ve done in
Literally once I tee the ball up to once I take the ball out of the , cup, I ve been thinking about everything, trying to figure out what to do.
the past. Most of the times, it’s the same thing that happens, and it gets too far on one side that I’ve never really seen and you just hope that a drill brings you back, and we are slowly teetering to where I want to be. Even if I’m not there, I still feel like I’ve got to go out and play and make it work.” Morikawa will draw confidence from the fact he’ll start Friday three shots better than playing partners Rory McIlroy and Bernd Wiesberger who opened with 71s. That, and no doubt another afternoon of grind on the range, is indeed something to work with.
6
PRO-AM MEMORIES
Jordan Pickford
Pleasurable PRESSURE They’re superstars in their own fields but on the Majlis, it was a completely different, and rather nerve-wracking, story.
T
hey play in front of packed stadiums every week and race around circuits in excess of 300kmh. But not even the English Premier League or F1 can prepare your for the nervejangling experience of teeing it up alongside a DP World Tour star. So it proved in the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am on Wednesday. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, two regular England international team-mates, joined compatriot Lee Westwood in a glamour group on the eve of the $8 million Rolex Series event at Emirates Golf Club, Pickford later admitted he found the round more nerve-wracking than keeping goal for his country. “I loved it really. Even though I play in front of 40,000 people every week, I’m out of my comfort zone here – it was a bit nervewracking,” said the Goodison Park custodian, before joking: “Normally my handicap is eight but I think I played off about 28 today. I thoroughly enjoyed it though and I learned a lot playing with a top professional like Westy. I’ve not played many courses abroad, so this was an amazing opportunity.” Manchester United skipper Maguire, who plays off a six handicap, was delighted to
interrupt a mid-season break from club football with his first Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Pro-Am appearance. “I enjoyed it, the course is amazing and to get the chance to play with Lee and score a few birdies was great. We’ve been looked after really well, it has been a lovely day overall.” McLaren Racing star Lando Norris swapped the high-octane thrills and spills of the F1 cockpit for the Majlis Course fairways. The 22-year-old, taking part in his first ever ProAm event, teed off in a group with Austrian pro Bernd Wiesberger and admitted to being a bundle of nerves. “I was very nervous for the first few holes,” said Norris. “I was shaking on the first few tee shots, but I ended up playing much better than I thought I would. Normally I play a relaxed round with mates, so this was very different – a lot more pressure! “The course was incredible, and it was great to play with Bernd. It is very interesting to watch a professional at the top of his game in a different sport, to see his approach and his mentality, especially when I am at the bottom level of his sport! It was lovely to get some time away from the cold of the UK, and great to relax as I will be straight back to work when I go home.” ◼
Jordan Pickford & Harry Maguire
Lando Norris
8
DRAW SHEET
Order of Play
FRIDAY
JANUARY 28, 2022
Plan the day watching your favourite players with this guide to the groupings and tee times. 1. TIME 07:10 • HOLE 1 ◼ CAMPILLO, Jorge (ESP) ◼ GAVINS, Daniel (ENG) ◼ PAVAN, Andrea (ITA)
12. TIME 07:10 • HOLE 10 E -2 -5
2. TIME 07:20 • HOLE 1 ◼ SULLIVAN, Andy (ENG) ◼ VÄLIMÄKI, Sami (FIN) ◼ BENNETT, Samuel (USA)
13. TIME 07:20 • HOLE 10 E +5 -2
3. TIME 07:30 • HOLE 1 ◼ ORMSBY, Wade (AUS) ◼ FICHARDT, Darren (RSA) ◼ BJERREGAARD, Lucas (DEN)
-3 +2 -3
◼ CASEY, Paul (ENG) ◼ HOVLAND, Viktor (NOR) ◼ PIETERS, Thomas (BEL)
-2 -4 -2
◼ MACINTYRE, Robert (SCO) ◼ FLEETWOOD, Tommy (ENG) ◼ SCOTT, Adam (AUS)
+2 -5 -3
◼ HARRINGTON, Padraig (IRL) ◼ HØJGAARD, Rasmus (DEN) ◼ HERBERT, Lucas (AUS)
-2 +1 -2
20. TIME 08:30 • HOLE 10 ◼ HANSEN, Joachim B. (DEN) ◼ BJØRN, Thomas (DEN) ◼ PEREZ, Victor (FRA)
+1 -5 -1
◼ HARDING, Justin (RSA) - Thru 17 -6 ◼ LAWRENCE, Thriston (RSA) - Thru 17 +4 ◼ CATLIN, John (USA) - Thru 17 E
-7 +3 +1
32. TIME 08:40 • HOLE 10
11. TIME 08:50 • HOLE 1 ◼ WARREN, Marc (SCO) ◼ ANTCLIFF, Maverick (AUS) ◼ HELLIGKILDE, Marcus (ENG)
◼ VAN ROOYEN, Erik (RSA) ◼ POULTER, Ian (ENG) ◼ WESTWOOD, Lee (ENG)
-1 +2 +3
10. TIME 08:40 • HOLE 1 ◼ KORHONEN, Mikko (FIN) ◼ JAIDEE, Thongchai (THA) ◼ GOUVEIA, Ricardo (POR)
+2 +3 -3
19. TIME 08:20 • HOLE 10 -2 -4 E
9. TIME 08:30 • HOLE 1 ◼ VEERMAN, Johannes (USA) ◼ LEVY, Alexander (FRA) ◼ BROWN, Steven (ENG)
◼ JIMÉNEZ, Miguel Ángel (ESP) ◼ BJÖRK, Alexander (SWE) ◼ BLAND, Richard (ENG)
18. TIME 08:10 • HOLE 10 -1 -1 +3
8. TIME 08:20 • HOLE 1 ◼ HILL, Josh (ENG) ◼ APHIBARNRAT, Kiradech (THA) ◼ SCHWAB, Matthias (AUT)
+4 +6 +7
17. TIME 08:00 • HOLE 10 -2 +4 -2
7. TIME 08:10 • HOLE 1 ◼ JANEWATTANANOND, Jazz (THA) ◼ FISHER, Ross (ENG) ◼ SYME, Connor (SCO)
◼ DETRY, Thomas (BEL) ◼ WINTHER, Jeff (DEN) ◼ DUBUISSON, Victor (FRA)
16. TIME 07:50 • HOLE 10 +1 +1 +2
6. TIME 08:00 • HOLE 1 ◼ SODERBERG, Sebastian (SWE) ◼ COLSAERTS, Nicolas (BEL) ◼ FORREST, Grant (SCO)
+3 +1 -1
15. TIME 07:40 • HOLE 10 -4 +3 -2
5. TIME 07:50 • HOLE 1 ◼ SCHMID, Matti (GER) ◼ GUERRIER, Julien (FRA) ◼ KARLBERG, Rikard (SWE)
◼ ARNAUS, Adri (ESP) ◼ OLESEN, Thorbjørn (DEN) ◼ OTAEGUI, Adrian (ESP)
14. TIME 07:30 • HOLE 10 +4 +8 -1
4. TIME 07:40 • HOLE 1 ◼ STONE, Brandon (RSA) ◼ KINHULT, Marcus (SWE) ◼ ARMITAGE, Marcus (ENG)
◼ VON DELLINGSHAUSEN, Nicolai (GER) +5 ◼ LAW, David (SCO) -2 ◼ LUITEN, Joost (NED) +1
22. TIME 08:50 • HOLE 10 +1 -3 +1
◼ MERONK, Adrian (POL) - Thru 16 -2 ◼ ZANOTTI, Fabrizio (PAR) - Thru 16 -5 ◼ BESSELING, Wil (NED) - Thru 16 +5
34. TIME 11:30 • HOLE 10
23. TIME 11:30 • HOLE 1 ◼ HEND, Scott (AUS) ◼ KIEFFER, Maximilian (GER) ◼ LI, Haotong (CHN)
+4 +1 +1
-2 +8 -2
+2 -3 +3
+2 E -3
-2 +5 +1
-4 -1 -1
-5 -3 -1
+4 +3 E
+1 +8 E
-3 -1 +1
◼ SAMOOJA, Kalle (FIN) ◼ COETZEE, George (RSA) ◼ SOUTHGATE, Matthew (ENG)
-4 -2 +7
◼ FOX, Ryan (NZL) ◼ VAN DRIEL, Darius (NED) ◼ CAÑIZARES, Alejandro (ESP)
E +5 +2
◼ ROCK, Robert (ENG) ◼ SMITH, Jordan (ENG) ◼ HORSEY, David(ENG)
E E E
◼ DRYSDALE, David (SCO) +2 ◼ GARCIA RODRIGUEZ, Sebastian (ESP) -4 ◼ JORDAN, Matthew (ENG) -2 ◼ VAN TONDER, Daniel (RSA) ◼ WOOD, Chris (ENG) ◼ DONALDSON, Jamie (WAL)
+1 +2 +3
44. TIME 13:10 • HOLE 10
33. TIME 13:10 • HOLE 1 ◼ ROZNER, Antoine (FRA) ◼ SCRIVENER, Jason (AUS) ◼ PAISLEY, Chris (ENG)
-5 -1 -2
43. TIME 13:00 • HOLE 10
32. TIME 13:00 • HOLE 1 ◼ WALLACE, Matt (ENG) ◼ BURMESTER, Dean (RSA) ◼ MORRISON, James (ENG)
◼ LARRAZÁBAL, Pablo (ESP) ◼ CALDWELL, Jonathan (NIR) ◼ MOLINARI, Edoardo (ITA)
42. TIME 12:50 • HOLE 10
31. TIME 12:50 • HOLE 1 ◼ STENSON, Henrik (SWE) ◼ MONTGOMERIE, Colin (SCO) ◼ GALLACHER, Stephen (SCO)
+2 +2 -3
41. TIME 12:40 • HOLE 10
30. TIME 12:40 • HOLE 1 ◼ KANAYA, Takumi (JPN) ◼ MIGLIOZZI, Guido (ITA) ◼ CABRERA BELLO, Rafa (ESP)
◼ RAMSAY, Richie (SCO) ◼ STERNE, Richard (RSA) ◼ WALTERS, Justin (RSA)
40. TIME 12:30 • HOLE 10
29. TIME 12:30 • HOLE 1 ◼ GARCIA, Sergio (ESP) ◼ HATTON, Tyrrell (ENG) ◼ LOWRY, Shane (IRL)
+3 +2 -2
39. TIME 12:20 • HOLE 10
28. TIME 12:20 • HOLE 1 ◼ MORIKAWA, Collin (USA) ◼ MCILROY, Rory (NIR) ◼ WIESBERGER, Bernd (AUT)
◼ WU, Ashun (CHN) ◼ WARING, Paul (ENG) ◼ ELVIRA, Nacho (ESP)
38. TIME 12:10 • HOLE 10
27. TIME 12:10 • HOLE 1 ◼ HIGGO, Garrick (RSA) ◼ HØJGAARD, Nicolai (DEN) ◼ WILLETT, Danny (ENG)
+1 -3 +7
37. TIME 12:00 • HOLE 10
26. TIME 12:00 • HOLE 1 ◼ SCHWARTZEL, Charl (RSA) ◼ SHARMA, Shubhankar (IND) ◼ HORSFIELD, Sam (ENG)
◼ CROCKER, Sean (USA) ◼ LAGERGREN, Joakim (SWE) ◼ LAPORTA, Francesco (ITA)
36. TIME 11:50 • HOLE 10
25. TIME 11:50 • HOLE 1 ◼ BROBERG, Kristoffer (SWE) ◼ JAMIESON, Scott (SCO) ◼ CANTER, Laurie (ENG)
E E -3
35. TIME 11:40 • HOLE 10
24. TIME 11:40 • HOLE 1 ◼ BERTASIO, Nino (ITA) ◼ PULKKANEN, Tapio (FIN) ◼ LANGASQUE, Romain (FRA)
◼ SHINKWIN, Callum (ENG) ◼ SINGH BRAR, Jack (ENG) ◼ KJELDSEN, Søren (DEN)
-1 +6 +3
◼ SKAIK, Ahmad (UAE) ◼ KAWAMURA, Masahiro (JPN) ◼ WHITNELL, Dale (ENG)
+3 +4 +1
443
170
351
601
180
451
485
2
3
4
5
6
446
3356
488
3670
9
OUT
PL Players’ Lounge
EB Essences Bar
DR Driving Range
VIP Hospitality
MC Media Centre
TG Top Golf Bar
TV TV Compound
MV Marshals / Volunteers Area
Merchandise
Giant Screen
Scoreboard
Public Catering
Public Grandstands
Course Crossing
Walking Path
Parking Area
Solar Panels
KZ Kid’s Zone
Toilets
E
TT Tournament Town
72
37
5
4
4
3
4
5
4
3
5
PAR
General Public Access
Medical
6793
7428
TOTAL
516
3437
564
328
423
174
397
507
435
155
502
MTRS
3758
18
359
463
16
17
190
434
554
476
169
549
15
14
13
12
11
10
YDS
IN
35
4
4
3
4
4
3
5
4
4
#
Ticketing / Accreditation
420
186
459
7
8
412
165
550
321
429
469
1
MTRS PAR
YDS
#
MV
B
10
A
EB
VIP
16
TG
KZ
TT
11
15
17
MC
DR
PL
18
9
C
Al Khail Metro Station
D
TV
14
12
1
5
6
13
8
2
7
4
3
GENERAL PUBLIC
9
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12
HAIR-ILY GOOD
Being Erik van Rooyen
13 With a win on each of the DP World and PGA Tours, and that next level moustache, Erik Van Rooyen has become one of the most recognisable players on tour. Daily News caught up with the 31-year-old South African, who enjoyed T25 and T20 finishes in Hawaii before heading to the Middle East, to discover more about the man behind the improving golf game and those well-groomed whiskers.
E
specially if I compare it to where I was at this time of the year 12 months ago, there’s been a lot of growth that’s happened the last five months. I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in tournaments like that [the PGA Tour events in Hawaii], playing against strong fields. I think people underestimate the value of experience in this game. For the last three years that my caddie has been with me, we’ve only played three courses where we’ve seen the golf course for a second time. A course like the Sony Open [T20], to see it for a second time around I think that experience we had was invaluable and a solid start to 2022. ♦♦♦ Goals in 2022? Honestly, I haven’t really written anything down. I think sometimes when you write things down like that you can almost limit yourself. I don’t have say, for example, a set amount of times that I’d like to win or a specific tournament that I’d like to win. I think every single time that I tee up, my goal is to win that tournament. Obviously that doesn’t always happen but that’s just the mindset I’m in. ♦♦♦ The two previous times that I’ve been around this golf course, to be honest with you, I’m a different player now than I was back in 2019
Erik Van Rooyen and Chris Kirchner The CEO of Slync.io (right) plant a young Gaff Tree beside the 18th tee
[T119] and 2020 [T37]. My game’s of a much higher level…I’m a much better driver of the ball now. This is a course that demands good driving and at the same time, if you don’t drive it well, it demands a strong short game. The greens are relatively small with some really good bunkering and it will literally test every facet of your game. ♦♦♦ I would absolutely love to lift this trophy. I love this golf course even though I haven’t quite delivered the goods yet but I love a challenge. I’ve always been one to enjoy a good challenge. I feel like when my back is against the wall, I have the type of game, and it’s just in my nature to do my best and to deliver the goods when it matters most. Maybe this is the year. ♦♦♦ I grew up in a house where music was always around. My aunt and my uncle both studied music at university, my uncle is a guitar player and my aunt plays the piano and sings. Rock and roll was always in the house, anything from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, to Mark Knopfler and Neil Young. My mum was a bit more into classical music but I guess I always wanted to play guitar. ♦♦♦ When I was 14 and beginning high school, I finally picked one up and pretty much taught myself. In brief, I absolutely love music and playing the guitar brings me great joy. But I am not sure there is a stage career beckoning after golf. I have got dreams of playing with my favourite bands on stage but I guess we will have to see if that ever happens. ♦♦♦ I have a travel guitar. It actually folds up into a backpack and it’s still got a lovely sound. The neck sort of detaches from the body so it fits into a nice travel size backpack. ♦♦♦ I guess I am more of a bodyboarder, it runs in my family, we’re all sort of surfers. The best breaks I have ridden was Supertubes and J-Bay in South Africa. I mean absolute world class surf break but you know I definitely don’t get too much time to do it while on tour.
I am really happy with where my game is at... , it s definitely on the up. ♦♦♦ Will I keep the moustache? I think that remains to be seen. I love a good solid beard as you all know. My wife actually prefers the beard as well. But she’s been trying to kind of nudge me in the direction of shaving it off, but for now it’s staying. And about keeping it looking so on point, honestly, I think a lot of that is just natural talent and genes to be honest! I tend to brush it every morning though with a comb. I have little pair of scissors that I trim it with...no one wants to see a piece of cheese hanging down from your stash. So you’ve got to keep it from hanging down the lip, brush it sideways and give it a little bit of twist. That’s the secret guys. ♦♦♦ I think the biggest lesson for me after winning the Barracuda Championship was that I was in a bit of a hole at that point, and I struggled, so looking back it’s just you never know when the sparks come back and when it’s going to turn around. So, I guess, never lose faith or hope in your abilities because what got you there in the first place, that’s exact same stuff that’s going to help you win again. ♦♦♦ I think it’s unfortunate for spectators that they only show a handful of players. I understand obviously that they do that for the TV ratings, but there are so many good and exciting players on PGA Tour and here on the DP World Tour and it’s a pity that they don’t get more coverage. But yeah, it’s hard, everyone is good, everyone knows how to get the ball in the hole, and I think especially on the PGA Tour, guys just keep making birdies. You have to keep the pedal down if you want to win, and that’s what makes it so competitive, so difficult. ♦♦♦ I am a tireless worker, and to be honest, I personally think you can not say that someone has got all the talent. Every single person out here has worked tirelessly to get where they are. Some of us work harder than others, and I definitely put myself in that category. I try and squeeze out every ounce of the day and every ounce of ability that I have. Talent can only get you so far. There is no substitute for hard work. ◼
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THE CHAMPIONS 1989 - Mark James 277 (-11) 1990 - Eamonn Darcy 276 (-12) 1992 - Seve Ballesteros 272 (-16) 1993 - Wayne Westner 274 (-14) 1994 - Ernie Els 268 (-20) 1995 - Fred Couples 268 (-20) 1996 - Colin Montgomerie 270 (-18) 1997 - Richard Green 272 (-16) 1998 - José Maria Olazábal 269 (-19) 1999 - David Howell 275 (-13) 2000 - José Cóceres 274 (-14) 2001 - Thomas Bjørn 266 (-22) 2002 - Ernie Els 272 (-16) 2003 - Robert-Jan Derksen 271 (-17) 2004 - Mark O’Meara 271 (-17) 2005 - Ernie Els 269 (-19) 2006 - Tiger Woods 269 (-19) 2007 - Henrik Stenson 269 (-19) 2008 - Tiger Woods 274 (-14) 2009 - Rory McIlroy 269 (-19) 2010 - Miguel Ángel Jiménez 277 (-11) 2011 - Álvaro Quirós 277 (-11) 2012 - Rafa Cabrera Bello 270 (-18) 2013 - Stephen Gallacher 266 (-22) 2014 - Stephen Gallacher 272 (-16) 2015 - Rory McIlroy 266 (-22) 2016 - Danny Willett 269 (-19) 2017 - Sergio Garcia 269 (-19) 2018 - Li Haotong 265 (-23) 2019 - Bryson DeChambeau 264 (-24) 2020 - Lucas Herbert 279 (-9) 2021 - Paul Casey 271 (-17)
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MOST WINS
Ernie Els1994, 2002, 2005
Majlis
WIRE-TO-WIRE WINNERS Eamonn Darcy, 1990 Seve Ballesteros, 1992 Ernie Els, 1994; José Coceres, 2000 Rory McIlroy, 2009 Sergio Garcia, 2017
Lowest 18-hole score 61 (-11), Ernie Els, 1994 Lowest first 18-hole score 61 (-11), Ernie Els, 1994 Lowest first 36-hole score 128 (-16), Tiger Woods, 2001 Lowest first 54-hole score 195 (-21), Stephen Gallacher, 2013 Lowest 72-hole score 264 (-24), Bryson DeChambeau, 2019 Lowest under par winning score 264 (-24), Bryson DeChambeau, 2019 Lowest final round by a winner 64 (-8), Bryson DeChambeau, 2019
Play-o ffs 1989 Mark James beat Peter O’Malley
1992 1997
Seve Ballesteros beat Ronan Rafferty
Richard Green beat Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam
2006 2010 2020
Tiger Woods beat Ernie Els
Miguel Ángel Jiménez beat Lee Westwood
Lucas Herbert beat Christiaan Bezuidenhout
LARGEST WINNING MARGIN Bryson DeChambeau 2019
7 shots
Memories All the key Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic facts and figures to enhance your viewing pleasure
rd
33 Edition
Emirates Golf Club is set to stage the Dubai Desert Classic for the 31st time. The event was twice held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in 1999 and 2000.
PRIZE PURSE
1989: €251,708.00 (Winner's share €58,324.00)
CONSECUTIVE WINS
Stephen Gallacher 2013 and 2014
2022: $8,000,000.00 (Winner's share: $1,333,330.00)
139 149 LOW CUT
HIGH CUT
(-5), 2018
(+5), 1989
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HOLESIN-ONE Miguel Ángel Jiménez 4th Hole, Rnd 2, 1990
Chris Moody 11th Hole, Rnd 3, 1990 Mark McNulty 11th Hole, Rnd 3, 1990 José Cóceres 7th Hole, Rnd 2, 1992 Wayne Westner 7th Hole, Rnd 1, 1995 José Cóceres 4th Hole, Rnd 1, 1996 Roger Wessels 7th Hole, Rnd 2, 1996 Peter Hedblom 15th Hole, Rnd 2, 1996 Stuart Cage 8th Hole, Rnd 1, 1999 (Dubai Creek) Peter Downie 16th Hole, Rnd 1, 2000 (Dubai Creek) Henrik Bjørnstad 7th Hole, Rnd 4, 2002 Brad Kennedy 4th Hole, Rnd 2, 2004 Yasin Ali 7th Hole, Rnd 1, 2005 Nobuhito Sato 15th Hole, Rnd 1, 2005 Stephen Gallacher 4th Hole, Rnd 4, 2005 Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño 4th Hole, Rnd 2, 2007
T his is Major
Miguel Ángel Jiménez 7th hole, Rnd 1, 2008 Louis Oosthuizen 11th hole, Rnd 2, 2009
The Desert Classic's roll of honour includes 11 Major champions: Ballesteros (1992), Els (1994, 2002, 2005), Couples (1995), Olazábal (1998), O’Meara (2004), Woods (2006, 2008), McIlroy (2009, 2015), Stenson (2007), Willett (2016), Garcia (2017) and DeChambeau (2019)
David Howell 7th hole, Rnd 1, 2011 Keith Horne 4th hole, Rnd 2, 2011 Raphaël Jacquelin 7th hole, Rnd 3, 2011 Álvaro Quirós 11th hole, Rnd 4, 2011 Stephen Gallacher 15th hole, Rnd 1, 2012 Martin Kaymer 7th hole, Rnd 2, 2012 Álvaro Quirós 4th hole, Rnd 4, 2015
6 shots Biggest final round comeback by a winner: Lucas Herbert, 2020
OLDEST WINNER Mark O’Meara, 47 years and 54 days, 2004
McIlroy, YOUNGEST Rory 19 years and WINNER 273 days, 2009
Grégory Bourdy 11th hole, Rnd 3, 2017 Matthew Southgate 7th hole, Rnd 2, 2018 Alexander Levy 5th hole, Rnd 3, 2018 Kristoffer Broberg 7th hole, Rnd 1, 2019 Nacho Elvira 11th hole, Rnd 1, 2021 *All at Emirates G.C. unless noted
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QUICKFIRE Q&A
A Question for
PABLO LARRAZÁBAL Q
You’re a man with history in this part of the world, winning in Abu Dhabi in 2014. What is it about the Middle East that suits your eye?
A
Well, what are you wearing? You’re wearing a shirt. You’re not wearing a jacket. That’s it. I play good with a shirt on. I don’t like to wear jackets and all that stuff we wear in your part of the world.
PATRON AND OFFICIAL PUBLISHER
Motivate Media Group has been there every step of the way. That’s every drive, every putt and every shot covered since 1989.
motivatemedia.com
THINK PINK
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Pink Saturday T
he Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic is painting the town pink on Saturday to raise awareness for breast cancer. Through a long-standing partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, tournament organisers Falcon and Associates are encouraging all spectators to join in and partake in the activation by donning pink apparel. All players and caddies are dedicated to the cause and will also be wearing pink to show support. The Tournament Town will be elevating the stakes by hosting ‘best dressed’ competitions and giving away spot prizes worth more than AED 2,000. A range of F&B offers will also be unveiled in support of the cause. In addition, the ‘Pink Saturday’ initiative will be honouring the Al Jalila Foundation with a flower wall display where visitors are encouraged to take images of the backdrop and post across their social media channels, raising more awareness online. You can also donate to the cause via SMS while at the tournament. “The Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic is extremely proud to raise awareness around the disease and we will continue to work closely with Al Jalila Foundation to help those in need,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director. “This initiative is a long-standing tradition of the tournament and as the legacy of the event continues to grow, so will our efforts to raise awareness around the cause.”
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to thank the following for their invaluable support of the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, held at Emirates Golf Club from January 27 - 30
TITLE PARTNER
FOUNDING PARTNER
PARTNERS
PATRONS
OFFICIAL SUPPORTER
LOCAL GOVERNING PARTNERS