Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Daily News Round 3 - 29th Jan 2022 (Saturday)

ROUND 3 • SATURDAY • JANUARY 29, 2022 • ISSUE 3

JUSTIN TIME South African Justin Harding enjoys a handy halfway lead but Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy lurk ominously heading into moving day on the Majlis.

HOBBLED BUT HAPPY

By Kent Gray – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East

PAGE 03

J

ustin Harding knows how to go ridiculously low on the Majlis and the secret to grinding out a score on the venerable layout too. He’ll take that welcome history into the weekend at the 33rd Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic – along with an equalling comforting two stroke buffer atop the leaderboard.

While drawcards Tyrrell Hatton (66) and Rory McIlroy (66) left it late to get into contention, Harding rested all afternoon long on an -11 lead courtesy of a “hard slog” 68 to go with his opening 65.

It was a target that stood the test of time on Friday and will see the 35-year-old South Africa start Saturday two strokes ahead of Hatton and three clear of moustached countryman Erik van Rooyen and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti. World No.5 Viktor Hovland, cult-hero Richard Bland, unheralded Pole Adrian Meronk, first-round co-leader JB Hansen and the ever mercurial McIlroy are at seven under in a tie for fifth.

There’s still an awfully long way to go before they hand out the Dallah trophy but Harding at least has desert pedigree having won the 2019 Qatar Masters. The world No. 122, who made it two DP World Tour wins at the Kenya Open last March, has also enjoyed his three previous visits to the Majlis where a closing 63 in 2019 saw him finish T7. slyncddc

He was 7th going into the final round last year too only to tumble 20 spots down the leaderboard after a 76.

“I’ve played this golf course well over the years,” Harding said. “Had a good final round a couple years back and was in contention last year and played badly on the Sunday.

“I played quite nicely last week [T25 in Abu Dhabi].

Barring a bad finish, would have been a Top-10 result.

Game seems to be close. If I can control the putter and make some putts, we are always going to be there and thereabouts, which is nice.”

Harding doesn’t believe the Majlis owes him anything although it’s a different story for the difficult, par-4 6th hole which he sensationally eagled with an approach from 189 yards. It turned a workman like round into something altogether more rewarding.

“Might be the first time I’ve ever hit the fairway. It’s a hole that I’ve bailed out on over the years,” said Harding. “I had a good number which allowed me to pitch it 10 or 15 short of hole, and the cameraman actually said, ‘I like it.’ I thought he was joking. It was just a good swing. Added bonus with it going in… makes up for a couple of other things around the golf course.

“At the end of the day, I would have been happy coming in with nine under to be fair. Turn to page 2 slyncdubaidesertclassic.com

Paul Casey hopes to bring new meaning to moving day.

NEVER EVER BLAND

Richard Bland on Covid, Christmas trees and contending in Dubai.

PAGE 06

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY

Adam Scott intends being Rolex Series regular this season.

PAGE 12-13

Daily Draw Sheet & Course Map Navigate Emirates Golf Club with your guide to the third round groups.

PAGE 8-9

PATRON & OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

#SlyncDDC #RolexSeries

2

NEWS

LEADERBOARD Rank Name (Country)

Score R1 R2

1

HARDING, Justin (RSA)

-11

65 68

2

HATTON, Tyrrell (ENG)

-9

69 66

T3

VAN ROOYEN, Erik (RSA)

-8

69 67

T3

ZANOTTI, Fabrizio (PAR)

-8

66 70

T5

BLAND, Richard (ENG)

-7

69 68

T5

HOVLAND, Viktor (NOR)

-7

68 69

T5

HANSEN, Joachim B. (DEN) -7

65 72

T5

MERONK, Adrian (POL)

-7

69 68

T5

MCILROY, Rory (NIR)

-7

71 66

T10

ARMITAGE, Marcus (ENG) -6

70 68

T10

WESTWOOD, Lee (ENG)

-6

69 69

T10

CASEY, Paul (ENG)

-6

70 68

T10

FLEETWOOD, Tommy (ENG) -6

67 71

T10

HORSFIELD, Sam (ENG)

69 69

-6

From cover page “It was a good hard slog, the last couple of holes played quite tough with the breeze. Quite happy with the two days work.”

So were van Rooyen and Zanotti who signed for Friday scores of 67 and 70 respectively.

“It’s what we play for, right, to be in contention, especially in these Rolex events. I’m happy that the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic is one as well. Can’t wait for Sunday,” said van Rooyen, perhaps getting a little bit ahead of himself.

After a challenging couple of years compounded by the pandemic, Zanotti is just chuffed to be in Dubai.

“Really, really happy to be there, to be in contention for the weekend. That was the idea. So I am very happy with

the plan I make,” said the 38-year-old, a two-time winner in Europe.

A share of 27th last year is Zanotti’s best performance in 12 Desert Classic starts. But after finishing 142nd and 62nd in the past two race to Dubai seasons, he’s starting to feel the return of good swing vibes.

“I feel like last year, I finished with a lot of confidence with my golf swing, and this year I came the same way.

Last week was a little freaky with the wind on the golf course, but this week, I put it back and I feel confident again with my swing,” he said.

“Just trying to do the same [over the weekend].

Basically just pick a number and hit a shot for that number, and the greens, pick a spot and try it hit the target and try to keep it simple.”

visit golfdigestme.com for the latest coverage Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

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Hatton,McIlroy poised

T

yrrell Hatton’s trademark short-game was a highlights reel in its own right on Friday, so trusty it seems likely to keep the Englishman in the conversation all the way to Sunday evening at the 33rd Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic. Rory McIlroy had his moments with the wedge as well but knows a little more cooperation from his putter is what is really required for a shot at a third Dallah trophy.

The Ryder Cup team-mates both signed for rounds of 66, Hatton to move into solo second two shots behind halfway leader Justin Harding while McIlroy is a further two strokes adrift of the South African pacesetter.

Hatton bogeyed the 1st but then went on a run of four successive birdies, triggered by a delightful flop-shot from a deep, short-sided lie on the 2nd. He also skipped a pitch shot into the cup for a birdie on the 14th.

“I was actually thinking about duffing it into the bunker while I was over the ball,” Hatton admitted of the hole-out. “To end up getting a good strike on it…obviously we were fortunate with it going in. It was an interesting pin position, so probably would

have gone the least 10, 15 feet past, so we probably saved a couple of shots there but need a little bit of luck sometimes.”

If it wasn’t his wedge, it was the flat stick helping Hatton maintain momentum.

“The course has been pretty good to me over the years and played pretty well last week [T6 in Abu Dhabi]. Game feels like it’s in a pretty good spot, so we’ll see how we go.”

McIlroy chipped in for an eagle on the 13th and added two birdies either side of that hole-out highlight. But the Northern Irishman left plenty of shots out there on the tricky greens.

“Could have been way lower,” said the 2009 and 2015 champion. “I certainly hit the ball well enough for it to be lower. I missed a few opportunities, but with the way these new greens are, they get a bit chewed up in the afternoons and start to wiggle a little bit if there’s not a lot of speed on them. But they are pretty quick as well and you don’t want to be giving them too much of a run at the hole.

“So yeah, I certainly hit the ball as good as I’ve done in a long time, and it could have been a few better but 66 this afternoon is a good score and sets me up for a nice weekend.”

3

HOBBLED BUT HAPPY Paul Casey hopes to bring new meaning to ‘moving day’ on the Majlis.

B

eware the injured golfer? Paul Casey is familiar with the cliché but knows winning the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic is tough enough when body and mind are at 100 percent.

It’s why the defending champion prayed he woke up for moving day at Emirates Golf Club on Saturday able to, well, move a little more freely.

The 44-year-old twinged his neck bending down to pick up a tee on the range before his second round. He somehow managed to stay in contention, a 68 to go with his opening 70 taking the Englishman to six under, five strokes behind leader Justin Harding.

“Seriously, I need full physical ability if you want to try and compete against the guys at the top of the leaderboard,” said Casey when a journalist trotted out the old “injured golfer” adage.

Seriously, I need full physical ability if you want to try and compete against the guys at the top of the leaderboard.

“I’m hoping I actually feel better tomorrow.

To be honest, I will. It’s probably just something as simple as not being hydrated.

Maybe not -- definitely not enough sleep last night, and that’s what happens, isn’t it.”

Jet lag coming in from your tie for 16th at last week’s Singapore Open, presumably?

“Pillow’s too soft,” Casey retorted.

“It’s just a muscle, I don’t know what it is, stiff neck, basically, plain and simple. I’m not a doctor so I have no idea.”

All things considered, Casey is happy with his play.

“Nigel Tilley, one of the physios on the tour out here who is amazing, he’s been sticking his thumb in it as often as he can trying to loosen it up. In fact, Nigel was with me at the Olympics last year, so he’s always here to help myself and others.

“I did a really good job of managing it and hitting it around. I didn’t hit some very good golf shots, but sometimes you have to just manage things and I did.

“So, not unhappy. I’m actually quite happy.”

The trick now, if he is physically able, is to come to grips with the Majlis’ renovated putting surfaces.

“The difficulty is the greens and they are very new, and they have done a wonderful job of getting the grass down. It’s just the nuances and all the previous knowledge that you would have had, guys like myself, and how the putts break is basically out the window.

“You’re seeing the ball wander a little bit because the greens are not quite there yet.

[But] this place has great character, and the holes and the shot values are still very much the same.”

6

CULT HEROES

Never Bland Richard Bland has made the first 36 holes look relatively easy. But it’s never easy for the journeyman’s journeyman.

I

t was an outstanding intro to golf’s feel-good story of 2021.

Immortalising Richard Bland’s breakthrough DP World Tour victory at the British Masters in digital ink last May, Golf Digest’s John Huggan summed up the Belfry moment – an epic 487 tour starts in the making – with a witty sense of occasion.

“No one beats Richard Bland more than 477 times in a row.”

There have been few more popular wins in the history of the former European Tour with English compatriot Malcolm MacKenzie the only player to have needed more starts – 509 - before claiming his first win on the tour.

Just a month after becoming the oldest first-time champion on tour at 48, Bland went on to sensationally lead the 121st U.S. Open at Torrey Pines through 36 holes. He fell away over the weekend to an eventual share for 50th but his cult status was already assured.

Fast-forward to the 33rd Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic and Bland has the chance to double his DP World Tour title count and enhance his legend a little more.

Scores of 69-68 sees the world No. 80 at seven under, just four behind overnight leader Justin Harding. As easy as he’s made it look thus far, don’t be fooled. Nothing in golf it seems is ever simple for Bland who closed out 2021 by going under the knife to sort a knee problem.

Then, just as he was getting back into the swing of things, the pandemic had another victim.

“I was due to fly out here the 3rd of January but I got COVID, kind of cleared that up then pulled an intercostal muscle trying to take the Christmas tree down,” said Bland.

“Yeah, wasn’t the best start to the year.

“The Saturday before Abu Dhabi, I didn’t think I was going to be playing. It was that bad. But it kind of got better a lot quicker, so I made the trip out. I probably should have made the cut last week with no preparation.”

It has been easy to forget Abu Dhabi courtesy of his play in Dubai where Bland has mixed nine birdies and an eagle with just four dropped shots.

“I got to see Tim [coach Tim Barter] on Monday, and yeah, we did a little work. We’ve just worked on the same stuff for so long that it’s never going to get that far out; the foundations are always there. I was a little bit ragged in places today but the nice thing is I’m never that far away. I’m always kind of in there. So hopefully I can just tidy that up for the weekend.”

Belief is a beautiful thing in golf. Even closing rounds of 77-78 at Torrey Pines in just his second major championship start haven’t diminished that.

“When I have my game that I know I can play, it stacks up against the best in the world and I proved that, okay, not over 72 [holes], but sometimes you don’t need to do it over the four rounds to get that belief.” ◼

I got COVID, kind of cleared that up then pulled an intercostal muscle trying to take the Christmas tree down...

8

DRAW SHEET

Order of Play

SATURDAY

JANUARY 29, 2022

Plan the day watching your favourite players with this guide to the groupings and tee times.

1. TIME 07:10 • HOLE 1

10. TIME 08:45 • HOLE 1

19. TIME 10:28 • HOLE 1

11. TIME 08:55 • HOLE 1

20. TIME 10:39 • HOLE 1

12. TIME 09:06 • HOLE 1

21. TIME 10:50 • HOLE 1

13. TIME 09:17 • HOLE 1

22. TIME 11:05 • HOLE 1

14. TIME 09:28 • HOLE 1

23. TIME 11:16 • HOLE 1

15. TIME 09:44 • HOLE 1

24. TIME 11:27 • HOLE 1

7. TIME 08:10 • HOLE 1

16. TIME 09:55 • HOLE 1

25. TIME 11:38 • HOLE 1

8. TIME 08:25 • HOLE 1

17. TIME 10:06 • HOLE 1

26. TIME 11:49 • HOLE 1

18. TIME 10:17 • HOLE 1

27. TIME 12:00 • HOLE 1

◼ Dean BURMESTER (RSA) ◼ Henrik STENSON (SWE) ◼ David HORSEY (ENG)

2. TIME 07:20 • HOLE 1 ◼ Rafa CABRERA BELLO (ESP) ◼ Robert ROCK (ENG) ◼ Shane LOWRY (IRL)

3. TIME 07:30 • HOLE 1 ◼ Ryan FOX (NZL) ◼ Ashun WU (CHN) ◼ Victor PEREZ (FRA)

4. TIME 07:40 • HOLE 1 ◼ Thomas BJØRN (DEN) ◼ Alexander LEVY (FRA) ◼ Johannes VEERMAN (USA)

5. TIME 07:50 • HOLE 1 ◼ Julien GUERRIER (FRA) ◼ Adrian OTAEGUI (ESP) ◼ Andy SULLIVAN (ENG)

6. TIME 08:00 • HOLE 1

◼ Daniel GAVINS (ENG) ◼ Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) ◼ Antoine ROZNER (FRA)

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 E

◼ Daniel VAN TONDER (RSA) E ◼ Sebastian GARCIA RODRIGUEZ (ESP) E ◼ David DRYSDALE (SCO) E ◼ Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) ◼ Nacho ELVIRA (ESP) ◼ Laurie CANTER (ENG)

9. TIME 08:35 • HOLE 1 ◼ Maverick ANTCLIFF (AUS) ◼ Rasmus HØJGAARD (DEN) ◼ Josh HILL (AM) (ENG)

E E E E E E

◼ Grant FORREST (SCO) ◼ Sebastian SODERBERG (SWE) ◼ Alexander BJÖRK (SWE) ◼ Lucas BJERREGAARD (DEN) ◼ Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN) ◼ David LAW (SCO) ◼ Matthew JORDAN (ENG) ◼ Garrick HIGGO (RSA) ◼ Richie RAMSAY (SCO)

◼ Charl SCHWARTZEL (RSA) ◼ Joakim LAGERGREN (SWE) ◼ Haotong LI (CHN) ◼ Ricardo GOUVEIA (POR) ◼ Lucas HERBERT (AUS) ◼ Ross FISHER (ENG)

E E E E E E

-1 -1 -1

-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1

◼ Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) -1 ◼ Nicolai VON DELLINGSHAUSEN (GER) -1 ◼ Matt WALLACE (ENG) -2 ◼ George COETZEE (RSA) ◼ Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) ◼ Edoardo MOLINARI (ITA)

◼ Pablo LARRAZÁBAL (ESP) ◼ Søren KJELDSEN (DEN) ◼ Jordan SMITH (ENG) ◼ Sergio GARCIA (ESP) ◼ Collin MORIKAWA (USA) ◼ Justin WALTERS (RSA)

-2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -3 -3 -3 -3

◼ John CATLIN (USA) ◼ Adam SCOTT (AUS) ◼ Matti SCHMID (GER)

◼ Scott JAMIESON (SCO) ◼ Romain LANGASQUE (FRA) ◼ Nino BERTASIO (ITA)

◼ Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) ◼ Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) ◼ Padraig HARRINGTON (IRL) ◼ Brandon STONE (RSA) ◼ Andrea PAVAN (ITA) ◼ Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT)

◼ Thomas PIETERS (BEL) ◼ Sam HORSFIELD (ENG) ◼ Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) ◼ Paul CASEY (ENG) ◼ Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) ◼ Marcus ARMITAGE (ENG)

◼ Rory MCILROY (NIR) ◼ Adrian MERONK (POL) ◼ Joachim B. HANSEN (DEN) ◼ Viktor HOVLAND (NOR) ◼ Richard BLAND (ENG) ◼ Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR)

◼ Erik VAN ROOYEN (RSA) ◼ Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) ◼ Justin HARDING (RSA)

-3 -3 -3 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -4 -5 -5 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -7 -7 -7 -7 -7 -8

-8 -9 -11

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

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Beamed Up Former Masters champion Adam Scott is playing his first Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in 20 years. Now Switzerland-based and recommitted to the DP World Tour, the 41-year-old Rolex Testimonee promises it won’t be a fleeting return either. Daily News caught up with the sweet-swinging Australian to discover how he intends adding a second major – and maybe the Dallah trophy – to his already glittering résumé.

T

ell us more about your decision to play the Slync.io Desert Classic for the first time since 2002? Re-joining the DP World Tour this year, having moved my base back to Europe over the last couple of years, was a sensible geographical choice.

It made total sense to start the year here, especially with the good weather and golf courses, and of course the fact that the first two events are Rolex Series events.

When you have played for a couple of years, it’s important to make changes. Sometimes it’s equipment and sometimes it is the schedule, and this year coming back to the Middle East has been a really exciting thing. I enjoyed the first Rolex Series event of the year in Abu Dhabi last week at Yas Links, and although I’m not so familiar with the course here at the Emirates, I remember certain holes and the shot shapes required.

I’m sure you have some fond memories of your Rolex timepieces? I have been a Rolex Testimonee for 20+ years now and when I first became a Testimonee I got the opportunity to choose a timepiece. I was 21 years old, and I chose a pink gold Day-Date with a black dial. It was a really great choice as I still wear it today. The design with most Rolex’s hasn’t changed all that much which shows how timeless they are.

How many Rolex’s do you own? It is hard to resist buying these watches, but I have about twenty or so.

What’s your plan to get back to major-championship winning form? A lot of things in my life has changed since I won the Masters in 2013, but I am continuing to change parts of my game and routine ahead of majors.

Not being so fixed on needing a week off before a major is something that I might change. Maybe I need to play more in the build-up to the majors, but it will always depend on how I feel at the time. I am lucky that I can pick and choose my schedule to a degree, so this will definitely help my preparation, but the most important thing is momentum.

Nice to be back on the Majlis? They’ve put some new tee boxes in, and have some new greens, but it’s nice to be back and it does feel familiar to me, although the skyline is very different. I’m not even sure there was a building at the Marina when I last played here, so a lot has changed in that aspect. I did play at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in 2009 but the famous shot from the 8th tee here looks very different.

Why the long absence from the UAE? After 2009 I was at a very frustrating time in my career, so I committed to play my golf on the PGA Tour. Up until that point I was playing on both tours and didn’t feel I was giving myself the best chance. I needed to change something, a bit like I’m doing again now. I would love to win here this week and I’ll be eager again to come back next year given it’s such an easy trip from Switzerland, so it works perfectly.

lot of improvement, but there are always good days and bad days in golf. I think my swing has largely stayed the same, but naturally there are elements to it that have evolved over the years. I’m not the young whippet that I once was, but I don’t think I’ve changed anything too drastically with my swing. The sound advice that I have received with regards to technique and recovery will hopefully allow me to carry on playing for many more years.

How have you managed to re-energise and come back so hungry? We are a bit sensitive us pro golfers, especially off the back of an average round. I was very frustrated in St Georges at The Open, especially now my main goal is to win major championships. 2021 felt like a bit of a wasted year for me and I didn’t really threaten in 2020 either. As a golfer, you know whether you’re close or not, and having had a lot of experience, I knew deep down that changes needed to be made in my game for me to be competitive again.

Can you talk about the decision to move to Europe fulltime? We are now fully based in Switzerland with the kids in school there. As invested as I am into my career, I am obviously most invested into my wife and kids and we feel Switzerland is the best environment for them at the moment. I wouldn’t say I sacrifice the golf that much. I certainly don’t expect to roll off the ski slopes and think that I’m good enough to come somewhere like this and win amongst such a strong field. So, I have to balance everything, and time management is so important.

At this point in my career, there are about nine months of the year where I totally prioritise the golf, but for the other three months I have to give myself some time away from the game. The balance is good for me.

What have you been working on? My driver wasn’t behaving for me last year, so once I began to make changes, the foundation of my game began to improve. Since making the changes I have seen a

Do you still think you can win the bigs? I feel as fit as ever and I don’t have any restrictions. Looking at my numbers, they’re still right there as well. Covid has been difficult to manage but I feel like I’ve made a lot of good choices to put me in a good position. The big one this year for me is going to be the 150th edition of The Open at St Andrews. You never know how many more chances you’re going to get so I am really looking forward to that one.

Do you plan to play in any other Rolex Series events this year? My plan is to play in all five Rolex Series events this year. The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth was a real treat for me last year and I really enjoyed it. Even with the majors, it was the first tournament that felt like it had a crowd back and that was amazing for us as players.

If you were a youngster, who would you follow around the course these days? I’m probably slightly too removed from the Bryson hype, so if it was me knowing what I know about the players today, I would probably say Dustin Johnson. He’s a powerful guy with a magic touch and he makes the game look very easy.

I played with this young kid, Nicolai Hojgaard, and I feel like he is a 20-year-old version of DJ. Although it’s very tricky to piece everything together at such a young age, he is going to be a force in world golf if he can.

He hits the ball very hard, but in an easy way. ◼

13

The big one this year is going to be the 150th Open at St Andrews.

You never know how many more , chances you re going to get so I am really looking forward to that one.

14

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)

3

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

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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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LIKELY LOCAL

Weekend Warrior Dubai-born MENA Tour history maker Josh Hill is enjoying the Desert Swing.

D

ubai teen Josh Hill has sown up amateur honours with two days to spare after making his second successive DP World Tour cut in as many weeks.

After a tie for 58th in Abu Dhabi, the 17-year-old will start Saturday at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at even par, a shot inside the cut line, after rounds of 70-74.

“It was a bit of a struggle to be honest,” Hill said of his Friday on the Majlis. “I didn’t play that well, so I am proud of the way I dug in and kept positive. Even though it was disappointing, there are lots of positives.”

Texas A&M invitee Sam Bennett missed the cut by a stroke after rounds of 70-76 to finish + 2, while UAE No.1 Ahmad Skaik signed for rounds of 75-84 and a +15 aggregate of 159.

PICTURE THIS The iconic 8th on the Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club

Motivate Media Group Managing Partner & Group Editor-in-Chief Ian Fairservice (purple polo, centre) hosting his annual Gentlemen’s Lunch

Big galleries following the Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Bernd Wiesberger three-ball on Friday

At -7, Rory McIlroy will start Saturday threestrokes clear of world No.2 Collin Morikawa

Sergio Garcia has signed for scores of 67-74 to be -3, eight shots adrift of leader Justin Harding

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FUTURE PROOFING Tournament Director Simon Corkill, South African pro Erik van Rooyen, Slync.io CEO Chris Kirchner and Tatiana Antonelli Abella of Goumbook at the ceremonial planting of a young Gaff Tree.

Go for the

GREEN ‘Sustainability Sunday’ at Emirates Golf Club will showcase new green initiatives and a commitment to environmental responsibility.

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he final round of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic will shine a spotlight on the DP World Tour’s finest – and the event’s renewed commitment to environmental responsibility.

‘Sustainability Sunday’ will fall under four themes: waste, transport, energy, and legacy.

It marks an important new addition to the agenda for the 33rd edition of the now $8m Rolex Series event at Emirates Golf Club.

Large areas of the tournament are being powered by a mix of 20 percent locally sourced biofuel and 80 percent solar power, through a flagship partnership with Aggreko, global leaders in temporary power. This results in a reduction in CO2 emissions of more than eight times compared to conventional energy production methods.

The tournament has entered a new era through our elevation to a Rolex Series event, our long-term partnership with title sponsors Slync.io, and our commitment to sustainable, environmentally responsible practices.

– Executive Tournament Director Simon Corkill

The collaboration will power the tournament in a more sustainable way through an energy mix which harnesses plant matter as well as light and heat from the sun, including a 100-metre solar panel on the 11th hole. Areas to be powered by the new energy mix include the Players’ Lounge, the Main Hospitality Pavilion, 15th Green Hospitality, the TopGolf Deck, DP World Tour offices, the Village Area, Merchandise Tent, on-course food and beverage areas, and spectator washrooms.

Sustainability Sunday is part of the tournament’s ‘Go for the Green’ sustainability initiative. It is the first milestone in a commitment towards GEO certification, an ecolabel that recognises environmental and social responsibility in golf. Organisers have also confirmed that the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic will join the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, an initiative to achieve global climate change goals through positive action.

In association with Goumbook, a social enterprise promoting sustainable living and green practices in the UAE and beyond, players have participated in a symbolic seed planting of the Ghaf tree, the national tree of the UAE. Other initiatives include a switch to digital ticketing to save paper, a campaign to encourage the use of metro and public transport by spectators, and the replacement of on-course plastic bottles with refillable options. Specialist waste management efforts to reduce waste sent to landfill will also be

in operation in partnership with Dulsco, an integrated waste management solutions provider and the Official Waste Management Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Tournament partners are also making major contributions to the sustainability drive: JA Resorts and Hotels will replace all single-use cutlery during tournament week and Wasl will be introducing cans and compostable cups in place of plastic bottles. Food and organic waste will also be repurposed onsite into a valuable resource through WasteMaster, an innovative, patented technology supplied by Green Eco Technologies.

The Arena Group has committed to a 100% PVC recycling rate through-out the duration of the four-day event. Furthermore, Arena has pledged to materially improve their sustainability, and lessen their environmental impact during their four-year partnership with the tournament.

“In a year where we are introducing free entry for spectators and expecting a record turnout, we are more eager than ever to raise awareness and spread the message that we can all take action and contribute to a more sustainable future,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

“Sustainability is one of the main pillars of the UAE’s National Agenda and our ongoing initiatives are in line with the efforts being made and encouraged by the leadership of Dubai and the UAE.” ◼

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.

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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