2014 dp world tour championship official programme 2014 by Worldwide Golf

20 - 23 NOVEMBER 2014 JUMEIRAH GOLF ESTATES

Official Programme Dhs 25

Title Sponsor:

Host Venue:

Premium Partners:

Sponsors:

Suppliers/Supporters:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS n Monday 17th November. Competitor Practice Day. n Tuesday 18th November. Rolex Pro-Am. Double shotgun start: 07:00 & 12:30.

CONTENTS 2. Sponsors Acknowledgements. 5.

Welcome from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Welcome from H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

Welcome from George O’Grady CBE, Chief Executive, The European Tour.

12. Advertorial: DP World.

n Wednesday 19th November. Competitor Practice Day. n Thursday 20th November. DP World Tour Championship, Round 1; 1st tee only. 07:30-12:30 (10 min. intervals). n Friday 21st November. DP World Tour Championship, Round 2; 1st tee only. 07:30-12:30 (10 min. intervals). n Saturday 22nd November. DP World Tour Championship, Round 3; 1st tee only. 07:30-12:30 (10 min. intervals).

23. Advertorial: Dubai Duty Free.

n Sunday 23rd November. DP World Tour Championship, Final Round; 1st tee only 07:22-12:13 (10 min. intervals).

25. Henrik Stenson and Review of 2013 DP World Tour Championship

Tournament Prize Giving 18th Green, after end of play at approx. 16:30. Times are approximate.

31. Advertorial: Rolex and Golf 2014 .

Off course entertainment

32. Rory McIlroy.

Thursday 20th November.

38. Advertorial: DTCM.

12:45, 15:00 and 16:30: Trick-shot artist, David Edwards – Driving Range.

15. The Race to Dubai 2014.

End of play to 19:30: Maplejacks – Championship Village.

40. Europe’s Ryder Cup Heroes. 44. Advertorial: Dubai Sports Council.

Friday 21st November.

47. DP World Tour Championship Charity SNFG.

12:45, 15:00 and 16:30: Trick-shot artist, David Edwards – Driving Range.

48. What’s On off course at the DP World Tour Championship. 51. Trick Shot Artist David Edwards. 53. Advertorial: Aspreys.

Saturday 22nd November. 12:45,15:00 & 16:30 Trick-shot artist, David Edwards – Driving Range.

55. Player Profiles.

End of play to 19:30: Maplejacks – Championship Village.

69. Emirates Twenty-20 Cricket.

Sunday 23rd November.

102. Hole by Hole Guide

112. Acknowledgements, Officials and Prizefund Breakdowns. Editor-in-Chief: Mike Gallemore Design Director: Alex Gallemore Editor: Richard Bevan Deputy Editor: Todd Staszko Assistant Editor: Mohamed Suleman Production Manager: Joanna Eardley Technical Manager: Mark Collinge

End of play to 19:30: Suburban Voodoo Band – Championship Village.

Advertising & Marketing Director: Christopher Sargeant christopher@wspdubai.com Printed in Dubai by: Raidy, Dubai

12:45 and 15:00 Trick-shot artist, David Edwards – Driving Range.

16:30 Prize-giving – 18th green.

Published by: Worldwide Sporting Publications Publisher: Mike Gallemore www.wspglobal.com

WSP specifies that post-press changes may occur to any information given in this publication and takes no responsibility for goods or services advertised.

WELCOME

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

e are pleased to welcome all our visitors who have arrived to participate in the 2014 DP World Tour Championship Dubai, for the final season-ending tournament of The European Tour’s ‘Race to Dubai’. Now celebrating its sixth year, the championship will host the top 60 golfers on The European Tour on the par 72 Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 20-23 November. We are looking forward to having a remarkable and outstanding fete of world-class sporting entertainment. In recent years, Dubai has proved to be the global epicentre, bringing together the East and the West, not only at economic and tourism levels, but also at professional sports levels. This has been achieved under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, who recognises sports as a valuable platform that can draw people together from around the world to compete in good sportsmanship and have the opportunity to build and nurture relationships. In fact, our presence here today, on this occasion, is true evidence of this virtuous insight. The DP World Tour Championship reflects UAE’s focus and dedication to the field of sports and golf in particular. It has been able to elevate Dubai to the most popular and preferred international destination for golf professionals and supporters. The city has become one of the most attractive metropolises in the world for hosting high profile universal sports championships. Finally, on behalf of the city of Dubai, we would like to take this opportunity to express our utmost pleasure to welcome back The European Tour again, including all the respective players, caddies, distinguished officials, media representatives and valuable spectators. Our sincere appreciation also goes out to all the hundreds of volunteers who have been involved behind the scenes and who have helped ensure that this year’s event will continue to maintain its appeal as one of the most popular golf tournaments on The European Tour. We thank you all for your time, dedication and commitment, and we wish you all the very best. We hope you have an enjoyable and magnificent time in our city.

WELCOME FROM DP WORLD

H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem Chairman DP World

olf is generally regarded as a non-team sport, but in this Ryder Cup year, great teamwork has been very much in the global spotlight, and for the best teams, big thinking precedes great achievement. That kind of thinking has made a success story of the DP World Tour Championship – a story that has unfurled over the years, with the Championship building a following and a reputation as a world-class occasion, and the brilliant closing chapter of The European Tour’s year-long Race to Dubai. Teamwork has contributed enormously to the success of the event and it is again an honour to host it in a setting worthy of its reputation on the fairways of the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, a symbol of Dubai’s development and the vision of its leaders. Dubai and the UAE stand at the crossroads of world trade and we at DP World are proud to call it our home. It offers the ideal location to bring together the many different nationalities represented among some of the world’s top 60 golfers. This cosmopolitan location is a melting pot of talent, expertise and professionalism and, as with any sport, the rewards delivered have sprung from the work put in. This year, I am delighted that the DP World Tour Championship has joined with us at DP World to support awareness of male cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men but, while a dramatic improvement in survival has been observed over the past 25 years, it still claims thousands of victims worldwide. This cancer awareness campaign is one of DP World’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and we are pleased to be working in close partnership with the UAE-based organisation “Friends of Cancer Patients” in raising awareness of cancer, and male cancer in particular. Cancer awareness needs to be front of mind. Talking about it and getting tested can save lives. Elsewhere, the DP World Tour Championship, the Tour Players Foundation and The European Tour continue to commit funds to the Special Needs Families Group (SNFG). This support makes a huge difference to the lives of young adults with special needs in Dubai, helping them to achieve as much independence as possible and to become responsible members of their families and society. Finally, we know that in golf, as in life, it’s the follow through that makes the difference. That rings true not only for players and spectators here this week but is also true of Dubai and the people who have played their part in its story. Welcome to Dubai, and may the best golfer win.

WELCOME FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR

George Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Grady CBE Chief Executive The European Tour

t gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Jumeirah Golf Estates for the sixth consecutive staging of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, as we bring the curtain down on another memorable European Tour season. Since its inception in 2009, the DP World Tour Championship has been a fitting conclusion to The Race to Dubai, and we can again savour the chance to celebrate the considerable achievements of our members over the past 12 months. There have been a number of magnificent performances on the world stage during 2014, not least from Martin Kaymer, winner of the US Open Championship, and Rory McIlroy, whose four victories included two Major Championships, a WGC event and our flagship BMW PGA Championship, as well as all 12 members of the victorious European Ryder Cup Team. Of course, both Martin and Rory are former winners of The Race to Dubai, and we look forward to crowning our new champion this week, at the end of a 49-tournament journey that has taken us to 26 different countries. Our congratulations go to all 60 players who have qualified, and we hope they all enjoy what has become a superb season finale to our International Schedule. That is due in no small part to the commitment of H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and his team at DP World, while we are also grateful to the Board of Jumeirah Golf Estates and General Manager Yousuf Kazim for their continued contribution to the eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. Similarly, our thanks also go to Rolex, BMW and Emirates, and all of our other sponsors and partners. Finally, we must also recognise the important role of the officials, volunteers and the media, as well as the spectators, who each year help make this tournament such a special one. We hope you all enjoy the week.

DP WORLD

A GAME OF COMMITMENT, DEDICATION AND HARD WORK AT THE end of a season that has taken them to 26 different destinations, the top 60 players on The European Tour have arrived in Dubai for the sixth staging of the DP World Tour Championship. It’s a privilege to have the Top 60 – the best in their chosen field – here in Dubai and we will give them all the support they deserve. But ask any of our golfing guests if the road to the top has been an easy one and the answers will, no doubt, be quite similar. Whether it is in golf, football, tennis or any other sport, a simple rule always applies. Nobody becomes the best in their field by simply turning up. Getting to the top requires skill, commitment and, of course, a great deal of hard work. Just as in sport, in the world of business and commerce there are no world leaders or industry giants without that same level of commitment and dedication. No brand becomes the best in their field by simply sitting back and letting things happen. Over the years, DP World has honed its own game to establish itself as a world leader, among the best in its field. Today it is the fourth largest marine terminal operator in the world, handling more than 150,000 containers a day across the globe, while its yard area globally covers 1,374 hectares – the equivalent of around 15 Earth courses. Like the best players in golf, DP World continues to strive to improve its game and now operates over 65 terminals across six continents with container handling generating around 80% of its revenue. In addition, the company currently has eight new developments and major expansions underway in eight countries. With a formidable track record of

superior levels of service and established relationships, it is a tribute to that consistency that DP World’s flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai has been voted “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for 20 consecutive years. The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them. In 2013, DP World handled nearly

55 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent container Units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia. With a pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East, capacity is expected to rise to more than 103 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand. Helping make this happen is a professional team of more than 30,000 employees of at least 90 nationalities, each committed to playing their part

in what is one of Dubai’s greatest commercial success stories. In the world of global marine terminal operators, numbers perhaps better explain the enormous scope of DP World’s business. For example, DP World has 1300 giant cranes and more than 55 kilometres of quay wall, serving around 66,000 vessels a year globally – or nearly 180 per day. Put end to end, the containers DP World handles in a year would circle the

world more than eight times. And they would have the capacity to hold almost six billion washing machines. Similarly, it’s difficult to contemplate golf without coming face to face with statistics, numbers and absolutes, and the DP World Tour Championship is no exception. For the sport’s many number crunchers, golf offers a wealth of permutations – what are the odds of a hole in one? Who has the best greens-in-regulation figures for the

year? Who has the Longest Drive stats? Yet only one number truly counts this week. Sixty players, four rounds of golf, 72 holes, hundreds of volunteers, tens of thousands of spectators, millions of TV viewers across the world – but only one champion. And no matter who picks up the unique DP World Tour Championship trophy on Sunday, we can be sure of one thing – he will have earned that right thanks to commitment, dedication and sheer hard work. n

2014 RACE TO DUBAI

2014 RACE TO DUBAI T HIS season’s Race to Dubai has taken in 49 tournaments, across 26 countries, but in the end, there can be only one champion. The 2014 European Tour season reaches its climax here at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week and what a year it has been. Rory McIlroy has had a season to remember and is in pole position in The Race to Dubai after four wins in some of the biggest events on the world calendar. He won the BMW PGA Championship in May before winning The Open, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the US PGA Championship in successive starts. The World Number One has rightfully dominated the headlines this year, winning his third and fourth Major titles and signing off on his purple patch with 3 points from 5 matches as Europe clinched their third successive Ryder Cup, at Gleneagles in September. McIlroy first completed the ‘double’ of clinching The Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship in 2012 and another stellar showing this week could see him repeat a second ‘Dubai Double.’ McIlroy’s

peers have also produced some hugely memorable moments with Martin Kaymer showing his undeniable class in winning a second Major title at the US Open at Pinehurst. Kaymer, who won The Race to Dubai in 2010, made it look easy as he clinched an eight-shot win ahead of Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton while there were also wins this year for Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Justin Rose and the latest Ryder Cup hero, Jamie Donaldson. Westwood triumphed at the Maybank Malaysian Open and his Ryder Cup colleague McDowell was successful in his defence of the Open de France title. Donaldson, who holed the winning point against the United States, won his third European Tour title at the D+D REAL Czech Masters while Rose underlined his prominence with victory at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. It’s been a captivating season with twists and turns at every step of the way, and the stage is now set for an enthralling final showdown at the 2014 DP World Tour Championship. 4

2014 RACE TO DUBAI STAGE 1 : South African Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni Venue: Glendower GC, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa Date: Nov 21 - 24, 2013 Winner: Morten Ørum Madsen Winner’s Cheque: €174,350 Morten Ørum Madsen won the first European Tour event of the 2014 season to bag his maiden title at the South African Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni. The Dane fired 67 in his first and final round on his way to winning the second oldest open championship in world golf by two shots over the South African duo of Jbe’ Kruger and Hennie Otto.

STAGE 2 : Alfred Dunhill Championship Venue: Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa Date: Nov 28 - Dec 1, 2013 Winner: Charl Schwartzel Winner’s Cheque: €237,750 Local favourite Charl Schwartzel continued his love affair with the Leopard Creek Country Club as he successfully defended his Alfred Dunhill Championship title by recording a four shot victory over Richard Finch. Schwartzel won last year by a massive 12 shots and has also been a runnerup four times in the event in addition to winning his maiden European Tour title there in 2005. STAGE 3 : Nedbank Golf Challenge Venue: Gary Player CC, Sun City, South Africa Date: Dec 5 - 9 Winner: Thomas Bjørn Winner’s Cheque: €795,338 Thomas Bjørn fired a stunning final round 65 to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge by two shots from Sergio Garcia and Jamie Donaldson. Donaldson held the lead going into the final round but in the end it was the Dane who held off a late charge from Garcia, who also carded a 65 on the

final day, to seal his 16th European Tour title. STAGE 4 : Hong Kong Open Venue: Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong Date: Dec 5 - 9 Winner: Miguel Angel Jiménez Winner’s Cheque: €159,063 The evergreen Miguel Angel Jiménez sunk an 18 foot birdie putt on the first hole of a play-off at the Hong Kong Open to defeat Stuart Manley and Prom Meesawat and break his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history. The win was Jiménez’s 21st on The European Tour and also meant that he successfully defended his Hong Kong Open title.

STAGE 5 : The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa Venue: Mount Edgecombe CC, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa Date: Dec 11 - 14 Winner: Dawie van der Walt Winner’s Cheque: €158,500 Another South African event, another South African winner. Dawie van der Walt prevailed over Matthew Baldwin and Jorge Campillo by two shots to secure his second European Tour title at The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa. Van der Walt shot a closing round of 66 to win the curtailed event which was shortened to 54 holes due to heavy rain which caused delays throughout the week.

STAGE 6 : Volvo Golf Champions Venue: Durban Country Club, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa Date: Jan 9 - 12 Winner: Louis Oosthuizen Winner’s Cheque: €507,655 Louis Oosthuizen sealed his seventh European Tour triumph as he retained the Volvo Golf Champions at the Durban Country Club, winning by a single shot over fellow South African Branden Grace. With two holes to play in the final round, Oosthuizen was one shot behind Grace but two closing birdies was enough for him to card a 68 and win by one shot on 12 under par.

STAGE 7 : Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Venue: Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Date: Jan 16 - 19 Winner: Pablo Larrazábal Winner’s Cheque: €328,779 The European Tour’s Desert Swing got underway with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where Pablo Larrazábal held off Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson to win his third European Tour title. The Spaniard, who began the final day three shots behind overnight leader Craig Lee, sunk a five-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish the tournament on 14 under par.

STAGE 8 : Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Venue: Doha GC, Doha, Qatar Date: Jan 22 - 25 Winner: Sergio Garcia Winner’s Cheque: €305,232 After being robbed of the title in dramatic fashion last year, Sergio

Garcia finally got his hands around the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters trophy as he defeated Finland’s Mikko Ilonen on the third hole of a sudden-death play-off. The Spaniard set the clubhouse target at 16 under par with a closing 65 and then tapped in for birdie on the third hole of the play-off to seal his 11th European Tour title. STAGE 9 : Omega Dubai Desert Classic Venue: Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE Date: Jan 20 - Feb 2 Winner: Stephen Gallacher Winner’s Cheque: €303,268 After ending an eight year wait for a European Tour title with a stunning victory at the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Steven Gallagher returned to the Emirates Golf Club a year later to become the first man to successfully defend the title. The Scot held off a late charge from Argentine Emiliano Grillo on a thrilling final day to seal a one stroke victory for his second win since the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

STAGE 10 : Joburg Open Venue: Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa Date: Feb 6 - 9 Winner: George Coetzee Winner’s Cheque: €206,050 A flawless final round of 66 was enough for George Coetzee to win his maiden European Tour title at the Joburg Open. After recording eight top three finishes and 24 top-tens, the South African finally entered the winner’s circle, winning by three strokes from Justin Walters, Tyrell Hatton and Jin Jeong. STAGE 11 : Africa Open Venue: East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa Date: Feb 13 - 16 Winner: Thomas Aiken Winner’s Cheque: €158,500 Thomas Aiken defeated England’s Oliver Fisher in a play-off at the Africa Open

to secure his third European Tour title. Aiken holed a 30 foot birdie putt on the first extra hole which clinched his first European Title on home soil. The South African spent much of the final day going head-to-head with Fisher but in the end it was Aiken who took the spoils in the play-off. STAGE 12 : WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship Venue: The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA Date: Feb 19 - 23 Winner: Jason Day Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000 Jason Day won the opening World Golf Championships event of the season as he prevailed over France’s Victor Dubuisson in a highly entertaining final at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. The Australian, who defeated Rickie Fowler 3&2 in his semifinal, won on the 23rd hole after pitching to within three feet of the hole and sealing the win with a birdie.

STAGE 13 : Tshwane Open Venue: Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate, Centurion, South Africa Date: Feb 27 - Mar 2 Winner: Ross Fisher Winner’s Cheque: €237,750 Ross Fisher romped to victory at the Tshwane Open, overcoming Michael Hoey, Danie Van Tonder and Carlos Del Moral by three-shots at the Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate. The Englishman started the final round five shots ahead of the field but a valiant charge from Hoey reduced that deficit to just one after the 11th hole. However, Fisher held his nerve to come out on top and secure his fifth European Tour title.

Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000 American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed overcame a late hiccup to win the WGC-Cadillac Championship by a single shot over Jamie Donaldson and Bubba Watson. In difficult conditions at Trump National Doral, Reed, who led going into the final round, safely negotiated the final stretch to become the youngest winner of a WGC event. STAGE 15 : Trophée Hassan II Venue: Golf du Palais Royal, Agadir, Morocco Date: March 13 - 16 Winner: Alejandro Cañizares Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 Spain’s Alejandro Cañizares went wireto-wire to end an eight year title drought and win his second European Tour title by five shots from Andy Sullivan at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. Cañizares set the tone with a stunning opening round of 62 to win for the second time on Tour having recorded his maiden triumph at The Imperial Collection Russian Open in 2006.

STAGE 16 : NH Collection Open Venue: La Reserva de Sotogrande Club de Golf, Cadiz, Spain Date: April 3 - 6 Winner: Marco Crespi Winner’s Cheque: €100,000 Marco Crespi sealed his maiden European Tour title at the NH Collection Open in Spain as he defeated Spain’s Jordi Garcia Pinto and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay by two shots. The victory came in Crespi’s 25 career start after he earned his European Tour card through Qualifying School last year.

STAGE 14 : WGC - Cadillac Championship Venue: Blue Monster, Trump National Doral, Florida,USA Date: March 6 - 9 Winner: Patrick Reed

2014 RACE TO DUBAI STAGE 17 : Masters Tournament Venue: Augusta National GC, Georgia Date: April 10 - 13 Winner: Bubba Watson Winner’s Cheque: $1,620,000 Bubba Watson claimed his second Masters title in three years as he carded a final round 69 to finish the opening Major of the season three shots ahead of rookies Jonas Blixt and Jordan Spieth. The lefty went into the final round at Augusta National tied for the lead with Spieth and eventually came out on top to win his second green jacket. STAGE 18 : Maybank Malaysian Open Venue: Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Date: April 17 - 20 Winner: Lee Westwood Winner’s Cheque: €329,615 Lee Westwood sealed his 24th European Tour title at the Maybank Malaysian Open in emphatic fashion, firing an opening round 65 on his way to finishing the tournament seven shots ahead of the field. The 2009 DP World Tour Championship winner was in imperious form as he romped to his first win in almost two years.

STAGE 19 : Volvo China Open Venue: Genzon GC, Shenzhen, China Date: April 24 - 27 Winner: Alexander Levy Winner’s Cheque: €389,151 France’s Alexander Levy secured his maiden European Tour title at the Volvo China Open as he cruised to a four shot victory over England’s Tommy Fleetwood.Levy set-up the win with a course record 62 in the second round at the Genzon Golf Club and didn’t look back as he put the lid on the first of two European Tour titles this season.

STAGE 20 : The Championship at Laguna National Venue: Laguna National G&CC, Tampines, Singapore Date: May 1 - 4 Winner: Felipe Aguilar Winner’s Cheque: €180,531 Felipe Aguilar fired a stunning final round 62 with a birdie-eagle finish to secure his second win on The European Tour at The Championship at Laguna National.The Chilean dramatically holed his approach for eagle at the last to finish on 22 under par, one shot ahead of David Lipsky and Anders Hansen.

STAGE 21 : Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI Venue: Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra, Madeira, Portugal Date: May 8 - 11 Winner: Daniel Brooks Winner’s Cheque: €75,000 Daniel Brooks won his maiden European Tour title at the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI as he beat Scott Henry in a play-off after the tournament was reduced to 36 holes due to adverse weather conditions.

STAGE 22 : Open de España Venue: PGA Catalunya Resort, Girona, Spain Date: May 15 - 18 Winner: Miguel Angel Jiménez Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 MIGUEL Angel Jiménez broke his own record for being the oldest winner in European Tour history when he won the Open de España aged 50 years and 133 days.Jiménez defeated Richard Green and Thomas Pieters on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off after to secure his 21st title on The European Tour and his first at the Open de España.

STAGE 23 : BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Venue: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England Date: May 22 - 25 Winner: Rory McIlroy Winner’s Cheque: €791,660 Rory McIlroy kick-started his remarkable season with a stunning come-frombehind victory at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club. After he started the final day seven shots off the pace, McIlroy fired a final round 66 to win The European Tour’s flagship event by a shot from Shane Lowry and triumph in the event for the first time. STAGE 24 : Nordea Masters Venue: PGA Sweden National, Malmö, Sweden Date: May 29 – June 1 Winner: Thongchai Jaidee Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee defeated Steven Gallacher and Victor Dubuisson in a thrilling play-off at the Nordea Masters to record his first win on the European Tour since 2012. In the opening play-off hole the tough Thai hit his approach shot to within three feet of the pin and watched as Dubuisson and Gallacher missed their birdie putts before converting his own for the win.

STAGE 25 : Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity Venue: Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria Date: June 5 – 8 Winner: Mikael Lundberg Winner’s Cheque: €166,660 Mikael Lundberg drained a 40-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a suddendeath play-off to beat local favourite Bernd Wiesberger and seal his first win on The Tour in six years. Both players finished on 12 under par after Lundberg shot a final round score of 65 to come from behind and tie with Wiesberger who had led by a shot with three holes to play.

STAGE 26 : US Open Venue: Pinehurst Resort, Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA Date: June 12 – 15 Winner: Martin Kaymer Winner’s Cheque: $1,620,000 Martin Kaymer completed a historic wire-to-wire victory as he became the first German to win the US Open. Kaymer, who had equalled the lowest halfway total in Major Championship history when he shot back-to-back rounds of 65, took a five shot lead into the final round and never looked back as he sealed the second Major title of his career.

STAGE 27 : Irish Open Venue: Fota Island Resort, Co. Cork Date: June 19 – 22 Winner: Mikko Ilonen Winner’s Cheque: €333,330 Mikko Ilonen won his fourth European Tour title as he went wire-to-wire on his way to winning the Irish Open by a single shot at Fota Island Resort in Cork. The Finn, playing in his 300th European Tour event, took a one shot lead going into the final round and carded a 70 to finish on 13 under par, one shot ahead of runner-up Edoardo Molinari.

STAGE 28 : BMW International Open Venue: Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof, Köln, Germany Date: June 26 – 29 Winner: Fabrizio Zanotti Winner’s Cheque: €333,330 Fabrizio Zanotti made history when he became the first Paraguayan to win on

The European Tour, prevailing in a four man play-off at the BMW International Open. It took five holes of a sudden death play-off before Zanotti came out on top, defeating Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Gregory Havret and Henrik Stenson to secure his maiden win. STAGE 29 : Alstom Open de France Venue: Le Golf National, Paris, France Date: July 3 – 6 Winner: Graeme McDowell Winner’s Cheque: €500,000 Graeme McDowell came from eight shots off the pace in the final round to win by a stroke over Kevin Stadler and Thongchai Jaidee and successfully defend his Open de France title. The man from Northern Ireland carded a final round score of 67 to secure his tenth European Tour title.

STAGE 30 : Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Venue: Royal Aberdeen GC, Scotland Date: July 10 – 13 Winner: Justin Rose Winner’s Cheque: €627,020 After winning in a play-off at Congressional two weeks earlier, Justin Rose made it back-to-back victories with a stunning win at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Rose produced a flawless final round of 65 at Royal Aberdeen to finish two shots ahead of runner-up Kristoffer Broberg and secure his seventh European Tour title.

STAGE 31: The Open Championship Venue: Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England Date: July 17 – 20

Winner: Rory McIlroy Winner’s Cheque: $1,660,000 Rory McIlroy continued his dream summer as he went wire-to-wire to win The 143rd Open Championship by two shots from Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia. McIlroy took a six-shot lead into the final round and held off determined charges from Garcia and Fowler to win the third Major title of his career.

STAGE 32 : M2M Russian Open Venue: Tseleevo Golf & Polo Club, Moscow, Russia Date: July 24 – 27 Winner: David Horsey Winner’s Cheque: €166,660 David Horsey recorded his third European Tour triumph in dramatic fashion by defeating Irishman Damien McGrane in a play-off to win the M2M Russian Open. Horsey chipped in for eagle in the penultimate hole of regulation to force extra holes and when McGrane bogeyed the first hole of the play-off, Horsey celebrated his first win on The European Tour since 2011.

STAGE 33: WGC - Bridgestone Invitational Venue: Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio, USA Date: July 31 – Aug 3 Winner: Rory McIlroy Winner’s Cheque: $1,530,000 Rory McIlroy made it back-to-back wins as he came from behind to defeat Sergio Garcia by two shots at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. The win took the Northern Irishman to number one in the Official World Golf rankings for the first time since March 2013 and also made him only the second European winner of the title after Darren Clarke in 2003.

2014 RACE TO DUBAI STAGE 34 : US PGA Championship Venue: Valhalla GC, Louisville, Kentucky, USA Date: August 7 – 10 Winner: Rory McIlroy Winner’s Cheque: $1,800,000 Rory McIlroy’s fairytale season gathered more stardust as he sealed his second Major title of the season with a one-shot victory over Phil Mickelson at the year’s final Major, the US PGA Championship. Although McIlroy led the field by a shot going into the final round at Valhalla Golf Club, he fell behind by three strokes at one point on Sunday but battled back to make it three wins out of three.

STAGE 35 : Made in Denmark Venue: Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort, Aalborg, Denmark Date: August 14 – 17 Winner: Marc Warren Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 Marc Warren put together two gutsy rounds over the weekend to hold his nerve and win the inaugural Made in Denmark by two shots over Bradley Dredge. The Scotsman shot a final round score of 3-under 68 to secure this third European Tour title and his first since winning the 2007Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Stage 36 : D+D REAL Czech Masters Venue: Albatross Golf Club, Prague Date: Aug 21 - 24 Winner: Jamie Donaldson Winner’s Cheque: €166,660 Jamie Donaldson clinched his place in Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup Team after sealing a two-stroke victory over fellow Welshman Bradley Dredge at the D+D

REAL Czech Masters. Donaldson fired a final round 68 to post a 14 under par score which saw him secure the title. Stage 37 : 71˚ OPEN D’ITALIA Presented by DAMIANI Venue: Circolo Golf Torino – La Mandria, Torino, Italy Date: Aug 28 - 31 Winner: Hennie Otto Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 Hennie Otto fired a sublime second round 62 then 71-68 to clinch his third European Tour title by two strokes from David Howell at the 71˚ OPEN D’ITALIA. The South African was playing only his second event since returning from back surgery. It was his first win since 2011.

Stage 38 : Omega European Masters Venue: Crans-sur-Sierre GC, Crans Montana, Switzerland Date: Sept 4 - 7 Winner: David Lipsky Winner’s Cheque: €383,330 David Lipsky defeated Graeme Storm on the first hole of a play-off to win his first European Tour title, at the Omega European Masters. Storm bogeyed the 18th while Storm tapped in for his par putt to seal the win.

Stage 39 : KLM Open Venue: Kennemer G&CC, Zandvoort, The Netherlands Date: Sept 11 - 14 Winner: Paul Casey Winner’s Cheque: €300,000 Weekend rounds of 62-66 earned Paul Casey his 13th European Tour title at the expense of compatriot Simon

Dyson. Casey was eight strokes adrift after 36 holes but roared into action over the final two days to deny Dyson a fourth career victory at the event. Stage 40: ISPS Handa Wales Open Venue: T he Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales Date: Sept 18 – 21 Winner: Joost Luiten Winner’s Cheque: €375,780 Joost Luiten made a gutsy two-putt par on the final hole to clinch his fourth European Tour title by one stroke ahead of Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood at the ISPS Handa Wales Open. The Dutchman saw his two shot overnight lead evaporate after two early bogeys on the final day but he bounced back on the back nine and then two putted from long range for victory.

Stage 41: Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Venue: St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Scotland Date: Oct 2 - 5 Winner: Oliver Wilson Winner’s Cheque: €625,787 Oliver Wilson finally clinched the first long-awaited European Tour title of his career with a narrow one-stroke victory over Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy and Richie Ramsay at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The popular Englishman had been runner-up no fewer than nine times in his career but finally broke through thanks to a gutsy closing 70.

Stage 42 : Portugal Masters Venue: Oceanico Victoria Golf Club, Vilamoura, Portugal Date: Oct 9 - 12 Winner: Alexander Levy Winner’s Cheque: €250,000 Alexander Levy clinched a three-shot win over Nicolas Colsaerts at the rain-shortened Portugal Masters. The tournament had to be cut to 36 holes after heavy rainfall and Levy’s rounds of 63 and 61 saw him defeat the Belgian for his second win of the season. Colsaerts had narrowly missed out on shooting a 59 in the opening round.

Stage 43 : Volvo World Match Play Championship Venue: The London Golf Club, Kent, England Date: Oct 15 - 19 Winner: Mikko Ilonen Winner’s Cheque: €650,000 Mikko Ilonen sealed the biggest title of his career with an excellent 3&1 victory over Henrik Stenson in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Despite the breezy conditions Ilonen went bogey free and made three birdies to defeat his fellow Scandinavian and take home the cheque for €650,000.

Stage 44 : Hong Kong Open Venue: Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong Date: Oct 16 - 19 Winner: Scott Hend Winner’s Cheque: €171,843 Scott Hend wrapped up his maiden European Tour title after a fascinating back-nine battle with Angelo Que, which culminated in a sudden-death play-off at the Hong Kong Open. Hend

shot a 67 to get to 13 under par while Que carded a 66, birdieing the last hole to get to 13 under. However, in the playoff Que misjudged his chip shot from off the green and Hend only needed a routine par to take the title. Stage 45: ISPS HANDA Perth International Venue: Lake Karrinyup CC ,Perth, Australia Date: Oct 23 - 36 Winner: Thorbjørn Olesen Winner’s Cheque: €198,300 Thorbjørn Olesen cruised to his second European Tour title with an excellent three-stroke win over Victor Dubuisson at the ISPS HANDA Perth International. The Dane opened up with a superb 64 and then posted rounds of 69-67-71 en route to victory.

THE FINAL SERIES: Stage 46: BMW Masters Venue: Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China Date: Oct 20 – Nov 02 Winner: Marcel Siem Winner’s Cheque: $1,400,000 Marcel Siem chipped in for birdie to deny Ross Fisher and Alexander Levy in a play-off and win the biggest title of his career at the BMW Masters. The trio finished on 16 under par after regulation but it was the German who prevailed and move inside the top five on The Race to Dubai.

Stage 47: WGC-HSBC Champions Venue: Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China Date: Nov 6 - 9 Winner: Bubba Watson Winner’s Cheque: $1,400,000 Bubba Watson holed a sensational

bunker shot for eagle on the 72nd hole to force a play-off with Tim Clarke which he subsequently won with a lengthy birdie putt to collect his first World Golf Championships title at the WGCHSBC Champions. Watson had double bogeyed the 17th but bounced back on the final hole and then pounced in the play-off for his second win of the season.

Stage 48: Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Youth and Sport Venue: The Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Antalya, Turkey Date: Nov 13 - 16 Winner: Brooks Koepka Winner’s Cheque: €1,666,600 Brooks Koepka secured his first European Tour title with a one shot victory over Ian Poulter after carding a flawless final round of seven under 65, with five birdies and an eagle for a 17 under par total of 271. Poulter had a putt on the 72nd hole to take it into a play-off but missed his chance from six feet. Henrik Stenson was third, two shots further back. American Koepka’s maiden victory shot him from 43rd on The Race to Dubai to sixth place.

Stage 49: DP World Tour Championship Venue: Earth course, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE Date: Nov 20 - 23 2013 Winner: Henrik Stenson

DUBAI DUTY FREE

DRIVING BUSINESS THROUGH SPORT DUBAI DUTY FREE can look back on an action-packed 12 months that has seen the operation organising and sponsoring some of the greatest sporting events of the year. Dubai Duty Free’s sporting calendar started in January with the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. As a patron sponsor of the tournament, Dubai Duty Free entertained guests in style at the Emirates Golf Club while Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, following his second win at the tournament, conducted the draw to win a Mercedes Benz S500 in Dubai Duty Free’s Finest Surprise Promotion. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free comprising a Premier 5 tournament played back-to-back with an ATP 500 tournament, took place in February. The overall TV exposure generated for the two-week tournament has been independently valued at US$718 million, ensuring excellent global exposure for Dubai and the tournament sponsors. This year’s tournament was won by an in-form Roger Federer and Venus Williams. Held at the same venue as the Tennis Championship – the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium – the second edition of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters was another hit with both local audiences and international TV viewers. Featuring eight of the world’s leading players, the event was won for the second time by the World No.1 and current DDF Darts Masters champion Michael van Gerwen.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai was welcomed by Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, when His Highness visited the DDF Suite during the 19th Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse.

The Tournament complements the operation’s annual sporting calendar that includes horseracing, both at home and overseas. The operation sponsored the Dubai Duty Free Group 1 race at Meydan Racecourse in March which was won by Japan’s ‘Just A Way’ ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga. In addition, Dubai Duty Free regularly flies the red and yellow flag overseas in the United Kingdom at two-day race meetings in April and September at the historic Newbury Racecourse and at Ascot Racecourse for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in August. The operation is also the title sponsor of one of the biggest races in Europe, the

HH Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, President of Tennis Emirates and Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Vice President of Tennis Emirates, along with Dubai Duty Free senior officials presenting the trophy to Roger Federer, winner of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2014.

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, offering a rich purse of €1.25 million, held at the Curragh Racecourse each June. The FIBA U17 World Championships has been added to DDF’s sponsorship portfolio this year and saw Dubai Duty Free become one of the event sponsors and a sponsor of the UAE National Team. This event was a first for Dubai and for the UAE Basketball Association, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council. Dubai Duty Free is also an official supporter of this week’s DP World Tour Championship which showcases the best golfers from around the world. The world-class tournament precludes DDF’s own-grown Golf World Cup, which attracts over 120 top duty free executives from around the world to participate for two days of friendly competition on the 26th and 27th November. By supporting so many events at the highest level all around the globe, Dubai Duty Free is effectively promoting Dubai’s sporting, leisure and business facilities, which are second to none. n

2013 REVIEW

STENSON CLOSES THE SHOW IN STYLE

Henrik Stenson raises his fist to signal a memorable victory with his tap-in eagle putt on the 18th hole, bringing the captivated crowd in the grandstand to their feet to celebrate a spectacular finish. His immaculate three-wood approach set up a tournament record score of 25-under-par 263 to finish six shots clear of runner-up Ian Poulter.

Henrik Stenson opened with a 4-under par 68 to sit two shots behind Alejandro Canizares and then fired a flawless second round 64, a third round 67 with birdies in four of the last five holes, and a closing 64 to win in the style of a true champion.

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2013 REVIEW

Henrik Stenson hits his 3-wood approach to the 18th green during last year’s final round. It comes to rest within two feet of the pin and was later named the European Tour Shot of the Year.

“WINNING THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR TO ADD THE RACE TO DUBAI TITLE TO THE FEDEXCUP I WON IN THE STATES WAS THE PERFECT WAY TO END THE BEST SEASON OF MY CAREER. I’LL REMEMBER THE SHOT I HIT TO THE 18TH HOLE IN FRONT OF THAT PACKED GALLERY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.”– Henrik Stenson

ENRIK Stenson entered last year’s DP World Tour Championship 213,468 points ahead of Justin Rose in The Race to Dubai. He’d already wrapped up the US$10 million FedExCup on the US PGA Tour and he knew that only a win here at Jumeirah Golf Estates would guarantee he was crowned European Number One regardless of what his rivals did. And boy did he deliver. Nobody on the planet was playing golf at the same level as the Swede in the closing stages of the 2013 season and he signed off his campaign in the most fitting style imaginable, shooting

68-64-67-64 to finish six strokes clear of Ian Poulter with a new tournament record score of 25 under par 263. But it was the way he closed the show, with a swashbuckling three-wood from 190 yards out on the 18th to leave a tap-in for eagle, which really took the galleries’ breath away. “Winning the DP World Tour Championship last year to add The Race to Dubai title to the FedExCup I won in the States was the perfect way to end the best season of my career,” says former Dubai resident Stenson, who won European Tour Shot of the Year for his stunning approach at the last. “I’ll remember the shot I hit on the

18th hole in front of that packed gallery for the rest of my life.” His achievements last season were the result of a lot sweat, determination and team work. He had been flying high back in 2007 after winning the Dubai Desert Classic and the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship back to back and finishing that season fourth in the old Order of Merit. Two years later he followed up with victory in The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour. But a loss of form and confidence followed and his results took a nosedive as he slid down the World Ranking to a low of 230th. He was no longer eligible to play in golf’s biggest events but rather

2013 REVIEW

Henrik Stenson proudly poses with The Race to Dubai trophy after becoming European Number One last year.

than entertaining thoughts of quitting, he got together with long-term coach Pete Cowen, sports psychologist Torsten Hansson and physio Cornel Driessen to devise a plan to get back to the top. The hard work paid off when in 2012, Stenson won his first European Tour title in five years at the SA Open Championship. But it was a blistering run of form that started last summer which helped propel him to Race to Dubai glory as he followed a tied third place finish at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open with runner up at The Open Championship, tied second at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and third at the US PGA Championship. “I owe a lot of credit to my team,” said Stenson. “I’ve obviously put a lot of hours in myself but they’ve helped out. I feel like I’ve got a really good team around me and everyone’s pushing in the same direction. All the small

elements from each one add together to create the bigger picture.” His devastatingly consistent form eventually yielded the victories it so richly deserved as Stenson claimed back to back wins at the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship win the FedExCup.

Consistent Campaign No player had ever won the FedExCup and The Race to Dubai in the same season. No player had ever won the season-ending events on both The European Tour and the US PGA Tour in the same season. There was a lot of history there to be written but there was still plenty of work to be done. Following up on last season’s jaw-dropping achievements was always going to be a tough ask but Stenson has still enjoyed a strong and consistent campaign on The European

Tour to enter the 2014 DP World Tour Championship comfortably in the top ten in The Race to Dubai. He showed last year that he’s got the measure of the Earth course and he’s ready to attempt to add another first in a career full of them by successfully defending his title this week. “I knew it was going to be hard to play anywhere close to how I finished the 2013 season but I’m pretty happy with my year anyway,” he says. “I have seven top five finishes worldwide and the only thing missing is a win. I hope for a strong defence at DP World Tour Championship. I’m yet to defend a title and what better place for me to do that than in Dubai! I’ve got very fond memories of my time living here and I love coming back to play in the tournament. “My game feels like it is going in the right direction and I’m really looking forward to the week!” n

ROLEX AND GOLF 2014 At every level of golf, from the world-class Majors contested by the greatest players to the organisations that safeguard the sport’s traditions and rules, and on to competitions for young and amateur golfers, Rolex is present, giving its support to the game.

HISTORY: The roots of Rolex’s affinity for sports and human achievement can be traced back to the pioneering origins of the company. When founder Hans Wilsdorf set up his watchmaking firm, he was influenced by the swift changes sweeping through society at the beginning of the 20th century. In an era when wristwatches were still regarded as fragile items of apparel, he was determined to create a wristwatch that would be robust, precise and reliable, adaptable to ever-more active lifestyles. In 1910, a Rolex wristwatch obtained the first certificate ever granted to such a watch by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. In 1926, Rolex invented the Rolex Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch in the world, thanks to a case equipped with an ingenious patented system consisting of a screw-down bezel, case back and winding crown. To prove his invention, Hans Wilsdorf equipped Mercedes Gleitze with an Oyster when she swam the English Channel a year later. The Rolex watch emerged from more than 10 hours in the water in perfect working condition, and the young Englishwoman effectively became the brand’s first Testimonee – a witness to the watch’s uncompromised performance. In 1931, Rolex invented the first wristwatch self-winding system with a free rotor, called the Perpetual rotor, the precursor of contemporary selfwinding systems. With Hans Wilsdorf at the helm, Rolex continued to use the world as a real-life proving ground for the Oyster, demonstrating time and again its reliability in the most extreme conditions, on land, in the air, in the depths of the ocean or on the tallest peaks. By being associated with so many achievements, Rolex became the trusted reference for chronometric precision, robustness and reliability around the world. Meanwhile, Rolex evolved, as did its product, in a constant pursuit of perfection.

As part of this evolution, Rolex watches – made from only the highest quality materials and designed by the industry’s best – became symbols of elegance and prestige. As the most elite and trusted timekeeper of the day, known for having changed the world of watchmaking, it was only logical that Rolex should partner Arnold Palmer in 1967. This charismatic American holds a special place in golf legend, thanks to his natural talent as a player and his pioneering role in the history of the sport. He, along with fellow Rolex Testimonees Jack Nicklaus, record holder at 18 for most major wins, and Gary Player, ranked third overall for the number of professional wins, contributed to modernising golf and giving it a worldwide dimension. Together, they are commonly known as the “Big Three”. Since 1967, the relationship between Rolex and golf has continuously grown and prospered due to the brand’s trendsetting initiative in the field of sports sponsoring. Today Rolex is golf’s leading supporter and is associated not only with the most important and prestigious entities governing the sport worldwide, but also with golf’s principal professional tours, competitions and athletes.

MEN’S GOLF: For over 30 years, Rolex has been the proud partner and Official Timekeeper of The Open Championship, where the world’s greatest players compete for the sport’s oldest title. This prestigious tournament is organised by The R&A, golf’s governing body responsible for monitoring the official Rules of Golf. The Rules, set out by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, have preserved the integrity of the sport for over 250 years. Both The R&A and The Rules have longstanding partnerships with Rolex. Rolex is also a major sponsor of the USGA, which is responsible for organising the renowned U.S. Open Championship. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game of golf worldwide, promoting and sustaining the game and acting as custodian of The Rules. Also in the USA, Rolex proudly supports the Masters, one of golf’s emblematic events played every year at Augusta National GC. Like Rolex, the Masters is a

classic known for its traditional values and is the only invitational tournament among golf’s majors. Alongside the majors are the Rolexsponsored team competitions. The Ryder Cup pits the United States against Europe, while The Presidents Cup pitches the USA against the top-ranked players outside Europe. Rolex is further involved in men’s golf as Official Timekeeper of prime tournaments such as the World Golf Championships, the World Cup of Golf, The Players Championship the Tour Championship and the DP World Tour Championship. Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of golf’s main tours: the PGA; European; Asian Tour. Rolex also supports the most prestigious amateur events worldwide. Rolex backs many of the sport’s best players. Besides the Big Three, Rolex counts among its Testimonees Tom Watson, Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer; multiplemajor winners Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen and Martin Kaymer; top contenders Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Matteo Manassero and Jordan Spieth. Rolex also sponsors former and current Ryder Cup captains Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie and José Maria Olazábal.

WOMEN’S GOLF: Rolex celebrates 30 years as Official Timekeeper of the LPGA and is a proud partner of the LET. Rolex is Official Timekeeper of the five majors, including the newly added Evian Championship, and the Solheim Cup. Rolex also sponsors the LPGA’s top awards, such as the Rolex Player of the Year and the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year. Among LPGA Tour players, Rolex Testimonees includes Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa, as well as Yani Tseng, Alexis Thompson and Lydia Ko, and, Rolex was named, in 2006, the Title Sponsor of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, the first-ever world rankings system for women’s golf. Driven by a passion for excellence and a great appreciation of golf, Rolex, the world’s leading Swiss watchmaker, is committed to cultivating the strong ties that bind these two prestigious worlds in their shared pursuit of perfection. n

RORY MCILROY

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF FOR McILROY? R

ory McIlroy was earmarked for greatness from an early age. He hit a 40-yard drive when he was two. He shot 61 round the daunting Royal Portrush course when he was 16. He won his first European Tour title here in Dubai at the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic when he was 19. He was World Number One at the age of 22 and he had won two Majors before his 24th birthday – both in recordbreaking style. This year he’s added two more Grand Slam titles – The Open Championship and a second US PGA Championship – to own four Majors prior to reaching 26. You can also throw in his maiden World Golf Championships title at the Bridgestone Invitational for good measure. Seve, Tiger, Bobby, Jack….. those are the legendary names his achievements have matched. It’s a path many observers thought he would tread but few could have imagined it would happen with such spectacular speed. He won the ‘Dubai Double’ of The Race to Dubai and the DP World Tour Championship in 2012. He’s already secured his second Race to Dubai title

and in a year that has seen him help Europe to a 16½ - 11½ victory over the USA in The Ryder Cup on top of his double Major and WGC triumphs, the Ulsterman would love nothing more than to end a fairytale season in fitting style by claiming a second DP World Tour Championship victory here at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week. “This season has been an unbelievable one for me,” said McIroy. “My Major and World Golf Championship victories were really important for my career ambitions. But this was also a great season for The European Tour, and for European Golf, with our team victory over the USA at Gleneagles. I have had a

strong affiliation with Dubai from the age of 16. I won my first European Tour title at the Dubai Desert Classic and I visit the region as often as I can – I’ve always loved it here. “Winning The Race to Dubai / DP World Tour Championship ‘double’ in 2012 was a very proud moment in my career and I’d love to repeat the feat this week. The strength of this year’s field is amazing, so it should be a really exciting showdown.” Born in Holywood, Northern Ireland, McIlroy first came to global attention when, as an 18-year-old amateur, he shot an opening round of 68 at Carnoustie in the 2007 Open

Championship – one shot better than Tiger Woods – and was the only bogey-free player in the field. He went on to claim the Silver Medal as the leading amateur, turned professional a couple of months later and finished third in only his second European Tour event – the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. When he tied fourth the following week at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano he became the youngest affiliate member ever to earn a full Tour card. The breakthrough European Tour victory came for the former amateur World Number One at Emirates Golf Club in 2009 when he

RORY MCILROY

DUBAI DOUBLE: In 2012 Rory McIlroy joined Lee Westwood in the record books by becoming the second player to secure both the DP World Tour Championship and The Race to Dubai in the same season. won the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic by a stroke from Justin Rose and the attention intensified when he won the Quail Hollow Championship on the US PGA Tour the following year after shooting a course-record final round of 62 to become the first player since Tiger Woods to win a US PGA Tour event prior to turning 21. But when he imploded at the 2011 Masters Tournament, shooting a final round 80, having led the field by four, the vultures began circling. Just a few months later he responded by blowing away the field at Congressional to become the youngest winner of the US Open since Bobby Jones and comparisons to the all-time greats started flying in from all quarters. His 268 total beat the 72-hole aggregate scoring record shared by Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Lee Janzen and Jim Furyk, while in finishing 16-under-par he shattered the 12-under-par record Woods had set at Pebble Beach during the famous ‘Year of the Tiger’ in 2000. “I felt like I got over the Masters pretty quickly,” McIlroy declared after

“I WANTED TO FINISH OFF THE SEASON THE WAY I THOUGHT IT DESERVED TO BE FINISHED. I PLAYED SO WELL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR I WANTED TO COME HERE AND FINISH IN STYLE AND I WAS ABLE TO DO THAT.” – Rory McIlroy the win. “I kept telling the media that, and I don’t know if they believed me or not.” The following year he was at it again, roaring to victory in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island by a record eight strokes to become, at 23, the youngest multiple Major winner since Seve Ballesteros.

Spectacular Win It was a win that helped him regain his World Number One Ranking and also repeat Luke Donald’s feat from the previous year of winning the PGA Tour Money List and The Race to Dubai in the same season – the latter being finished off in style with a spectacular win at the season-ending DP World

Tour Championship. Pushed hard by a fast- finishing Justin Rose, McIlroy responded by firing off five consecutive birdies over his last five holes to wrap up the ‘Dubai Double’. “I wanted to finish off the season the way I thought it deserved to be finished,” said McIlroy. “I played so well throughout the year I wanted to come here and finish in style and I was able to do that.” McIlroy also played a crucial role in Europe’s epic Ryder Cup comeback victory at Medinah Country Club. It all helped propel McIlroy to Tiger-esque levels of super-stardom and teed up a multi-million dollar endorsement deal which made him one of the world’s wealthiest sports stars. When things

RORY MCILROY

Rory McIlroy pictured with the giant Wanamaker Trophy after his one-stroke victory at the 96th PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. (Bottom left) McIlroy holds the Gary Player Cup trophy after winning the World Golf ChampionshipsBridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. (Bottom right) McIlroy tees off on the first at Gleneagles during the final day’s Singles Matches of the 2014 Ryder Cup.

didn’t go well immediately, again the questions began to be asked: has success become too much, too soon? Can he handle the pressure? Is the new equipment right for him? Again he stopped his critics in their tracks when he won his final event of 2013, the Emirates Australian Open. It was the prelude to another extraordinary year for McIlroy. He came from seven strokes behind to win the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth for his first professional win on European soil with a one-stroke victory over Shane Lowry. “It’s strange to think that until now all my wins have come in either the United States or Dubai, Hong Kong, China or wherever else,” said McIlroy after closing with a blistering final round of 66, and a back nine of just 32, to take the title at Wentworth. “It was my first win in Continental Europe and my first win in the UK and Ireland as a pro.” McIlroy had split with long-term

girlfriend, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, shortly before his Wentworth victory but he was to go on and enjoy his very own ‘Summer of Love’ with the game of golf. First he beat American Rickie Fowler and Spain’s Sergio Garcia to win The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool to claim three of the four Majors, with only the Masters to go to achieve a rare ‘Career Grand Slam’. He then beat Garcia again, this time by two strokes at Firestone, Akron, Ohio, to claim the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and return to the World Number One spot. Without missing a beat he went

out the following week and beat Phil Mickelson by a stroke to lift the huge US PGA Championship’s Wanamaker Trophy for the second time before scoring three points from five in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles. The similarities to 2012, the last time he arrived at Jumeirah Golf Estates with a chance of doing the ‘Dubai Double’, are startling. This year he’s won two Majors, helped Europe win The Ryder Cup and he’s World Number One. The stage is set here at Jumeirah Golf Estates for history to repeat itself. n

DECEMBER • • • • • • • •

UAE National Day Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Dubai Parachuting Championship Dubai International Film Festival Spinney’s Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge FAI World Air Games Dubai Football Challenge New Year Dubai

NOVEMBER

JANUARY

• • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

DP World Championships / Race to Dubai Dubai World Hospitality Championship Samsung International Beach Soccer Dubai International Air Show Dubai Motor Festival Dubai International Motor Show

Dubai Shopping Festival Meydan Race Nights Mama Mia Dubai International Kite Festival Dunlop 24H 10th Edition Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon Omega Dubai Desert Classic Dubai Showjumping Championship

#DubaiEvents dubaicalendar.com

FEBRUARY • • • • • • •

Dubai Tour Dubai Food Festival Gulf Food Dubai Food Carnival RedFest DXB Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship

APRIL • • • • • • •

Middle East Film and Comic Con Al Marmoom Camel Festival Gulf Film Festival Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup One Direction Concert Fashion Forward Season 5 GITEX Shopper - Spring Edition

MARCH • • • • • • • •

Dubai International Boat Show Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Gulf Photo Plus Dubai Polo Gold Cup SIKKA Design Days Dubai Art Dubai Dubai World Cup

MAY

JUNE

• • • • • •

• • • • •

Blended Arabian Travel Market Arab Media Forum Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters Al Gaffal Dhow Race Dubai Tango Festival

Disney on Ice ME Sports Events Summit Dubai Desert Road Run Modhesh World Ramadan in Dubai

AUGUST

• • • •

JULY

• • • • •

Ramadan in Dubai Ramadan Night Market Eid in Dubai (Eid Al Fitr) Dubai Summer Surprises Dubai Sports World

SEPTEMBER • • • • •

Dubai Summer Surprises Modhesh World Dubai Sports World FINA Swimming World Cup

Games 15 Eid in Dubai (Eid Al Adha) Dubai Music Week GITEX Shopper Dubai International Dance Festival

There’s always something happening in Dubai. It’s where the whole world comes together to be part of breath-taking performances, once-in-a-lifetime shows, thrilling championships and incredible events. Feel the beat of the city as it pulses with joy. And live every unforgettable moment to the fullest. Share how you see Dubai on Instagram, using #DubaiEvents.

OCTOBER • • • •

Downtown Design Fashion Forward Season 6 Gulf Bike Week Sensation

RYDER CUP

RYDER CUP REUNION A

LL 12 members of Paul McGinley’s victorious Ryder Cup Team will be reunited for the first time since their emphatic 16½ - 11½ victory over the USA at Gleneagles at this week’s DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and as well as competing for one of the most sought-after titles on The European Tour there will be a collective air of celebration in the locker room at Jumeirah Golf Estates among Europe’s conquering heroes. “The reaction to what we achieved at The Ryder Cup has been incredible, I’ve felt it everywhere I go and I’m sure the players feel the same,” says McGinley. “People are still talking about it – they got an incredible buzz supporting the European Team. It’s one thing winning The Ryder Cup, it’s another thing bringing so much joy to so many people. That’s the outstanding feeling the players and I have – the fact that we made so many people happy, not just ourselves.

‘Evolving Respect’ “One of the aspects I always felt as a player in The Ryder Cup was a bonding with the other players on the Team. When you share such an emotional experience as The Ryder Cup that bond is there. I’m sure the players have very positive feelings towards each other when they meet up at the DP World Tour Championship and that’s a great reflection on how the week went. If that bond stays in place and there’s an evolving respect towards each other because of what happened in Gleneagles, that’s great.” McGinley’s men were outstanding in Scotland, delivering a dominant display that fully justified their status as clear favourites going into to the event. There was a magical debut performance by Welshman Jamie Donaldson, who contributed three points out of four – the best score by a European debutant for 15 years – forming a spellbinding partnership with Lee Westwood in the foursomes before sealing glory for his team with a delicious wedge shot

from 146 yards on the 15th in his Singles match against Keegan Bradley. “My tee shot came out like an Exocet – dead straight. I didn’t know where that came from,” says Donaldson. “The next shot, I had a perfect yardage to the hole and only needed a wedge. All I had to do was get the wedge on line. It took off, just right of the flag and the wind blew it back onto the flag. To see it just a foot from the hole as I walked to the green – well, you can’t make those things up. “I love playing the Earth course and it’s great to join up with The Ryder Cup boys again here at the DP World Tour Championship.” Then there was the assured, world-class play of Justin Rose, entrusted by his captain, along with World Number One Rory McIlroy, to play in all five sessions to deliver the goods, finishing undefeated with four points out of five. It was only the 15th time a European had scored such a points tally in the history of the competition. “Paul put a lot of faith in me and said I had a big role to play in this Ryder Cup,” says Rose. “He put me and Henrik out first on Friday morning and it was great to deliver a point. You can only go with what the Captain feels and for him to put me in that role this year, and back me to deliver the points, felt great.

‘Nice Way to Celebrate’ “It’s great to re-unite with the other members of the Team. For all 12 of us to be here for the Tour’s season-finale in Dubai is a nice way for us all to celebrate the victory again and reminisce about that great week. The DP World Tour Championship is a huge event and one that all the players want to win.” Throughout McGinley’s team there was total unity. Amidst the headline-grabbing feats of Donaldson and Rose it was almost an aside that Graeme McDowell, Europe’s hero at Celtic Manor in 2010, quietly went about his business winning all three of his matches for a 100% record, having formed an unexpectedly silky partnership with debutant Victor Dubuisson. The

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AI EMIRATES AIRLINE DUB

RUGBY SEVENS

The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is the place to be for the biggest party in town! The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens is your chance to see the world’s best players in action in the sport’s premier annual competition.

And after the final whistle you can head to the village to dance the night away to live bands at Rugby Rock.

There are three great competitions to follow over the weekend with a total of 252 teams to watch! The HSBC Sevens World Series will feature the top 16 men’s teams, the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series will see the top 12 women’s teams in action, and the Invitation Tournament will have a record 224 teams competing in 15 different divisions.

With children under U12 free entry, the younger fans are in for a treat, with the Sabaa 7s Club offering lots of activities including a circus workshop, face painting and jumping castles. And for the very little ones a crèche will provide professional childcare giving parents a chance to relax.

But it’s not just about the rugby, the three day extravaganza offers something for everyone. The Rugby Village is always a hive of activity, with entertainment, official merchandise, concerts, competitions, and plenty of food and beverage choices for all ages.

There will be a special entrance for families, and 2,000 designated seats for families and children in a no alcohol zone in the Air BP stand, so families can enjoy the rugby in a truly family friendly environment. There’s also a free bus service to take you back at the end of the day to a number of locations including family drop off points.

www.dubairugby7s.com #dubai7s #everybodyplay Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens dubai7s

RYDER CUP Frenchman also enjoyed a spectacular undefeated tournament with 2½ points from three outings. “I have been very fortunate with my playing partners in The Ryder Cup: Padraig, Miguel Angel and Poulter in 2008, Rory in 2010 and 2012. Pretty decent partners in crime,” said McDowell. “This year was no exception and Victor and I hit it off beautifully.” McIlroy played as anticipated, scoring three points from five, capped with a blistering 5 and 4 demolition of Rickie Fowler. “I’m really excited about the DP World Tour Championship,” says McIlroy who has been out of competitive action since the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships. “There’s still so much to play for, and I’ve spent quite a lot of time in Dubai recently working on my game, fitness and preparation for the event. “This is the first time since Gleneagles that we’re all together. It’s really quite a field assembled and it’s great to catch up and reminisce about that win but, as always, it’s every man for himself once Thursday comes. I’m really looking forward to that competitive buzz again.” Henrik Stenson, another player who flew under the radar, chipped in three points from four matches; Sergio Garcia won 2½ points from four. “It was an amazing week and given that I had waited six years since last time it was well worth the wait!” says Stenson. “The team spirit is great and I had some good times together with Justin. Now it’s back to normal and we are all trying to kick each other’s butts! It’s fun to see all the boys again.” Ian Poulter, so often the chest thumping focal point of the European team this time played more of a supporting role yet still produced moments of magic at crucial times – most notably in the Saturday fourballs alongside McIlroy to secure a half. Two weeks ago Poulter was the only member of the team not yet guaranteed a spot in the field. But the 38 year old put in a fine display at the WGC-HSBC Champions – an event he won in 2012 – to finish in a tie for sixth and earn 301,447 points to move from 63rd position, comfortably into the top 60 (42nd) in The Race to Dubai, thereby

securing his place here at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Poulter’s good friend Rose revealed that he was always confident that the full European team would be present in Dubai. “Poults always seems to do well in the Far East events so I thought he’d be okay,” said Rose. Stephen Gallacher, the only Scot in the field, was perhaps unfortunate to play only one match apart from the singles yet his presence gave the home crowd a lift, which in turn fed back to his team mates.

‘Unique Experience’ “It was a unique experience that lived up to everything I had hoped for and more,” says Gallacher. “I’ve never played in anything quite like it, nor experienced the emotions that I did at Gleneagles. “To be part of this team was a fantastic feeling – in my own country, in front of friends and family and home crowd made it a truly memorable occasion. I enjoyed everything about the week. I hope I will be part of future Ryder Cup Teams and experience the emotions and excitement that only a Ryder Cup brings. I’ve been looking

forward to meeting up with the team again. Dubai is home from home for me and I always enjoy playing here. I’m proud to be a golf in Dubai ambassador and I love competing here. The Race to Dubai, culminating with the DP World Tour Championship, has made a huge impact on The Tour and the quality of the fields in the Final Series events with players all trying to qualify to compete in Dubai reflects this. The Earth course is a real test for everyone and a great location to crown Europe’s top golfer.” Old hand Thomas Bjorn, back in Europe’s team in a playing capacity for the first time since 2002, contributed a crucial half alongside Martin Kaymer to get some early blue on the board. Kaymer, the cool-handed hero at Medinah two years ago, delivered a solid two points from four matches. Everybody played their part and when the dust settles on this week’s DP World Tour Championship there will be time to reflect on the monumental achievement of winning one of sport’s most prestigious prizes for the third consecutive time and the eighth time in ten. First there’s the matter of trying to outdo each other as they bid for glory one more time this season. n

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SNFG CHARITY

DP WORLD EXTENDS BIRDIE PLEDGE TO LOCAL CHARITIES’ FUNDRAISING DP WORLD’S sponsorship of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is not just about producing a world-class golf event with a US$8,000,000 prize fund. The support extends to local charities’ initiatives and this year’s tournament is no exception with the return of the tournament’s Charity Birdie Pledge which will see funds donated equally to Friends of Cancer Patients and the Special Needs Families Group (SNFG) for each Birdie, Eagle and Albatross made by the professionals. “We are pleased to be working in close partnership with the UAE-based organisation Friends of Cancer Patients in raising awareness of cancer, and male cancer in particular,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World. “Cancer awareness needs to be front of mind. The Birdie Pledge’s direct link to

the on-course action is a fantastic way to get people talking about it and getting people tested can save lives.” Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour International – Dubai Office commented: “The DP World Tour Championship, the Tour Players Foundation and The European Tour are very pleased to continue its commitment to the Special Needs Families Group (SNFG) in Dubai. “This support makes a huge difference to the lives of young adults with special needs in Dubai, helping them to achieve as much independence as possible and to become responsible members of their families and society. “Our charity and CSR programmes around the DP World Tour Championship are an important part of the tournament activities and the staging

of the highly successful Birdie Pledge is a great way to drive donations which are expected to reach $50,000.” The DP World Tour Championship has had a charity and CSR initiative through the Tour Players Foundation from its first tournament in 2009 when a donation of $50,000 was made to SNFG. Since then SNFG and other charities have received a further $200,000 in donations from the DP World Tour Championship, making a grand total to date before the 2014 tournament of around $250,000. “We have been looking forward to this week’s tournament, where the best European Tour players will be tackling the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates producing some great golf to raise funds for two very worthy UAE causes,” added Tarratt. n

WHAT’S ON

Fun and Games at the DP CHAMPIONSHIP VILLAGE AND ON-COURSE FACILITIES PROVIDE WHENEVER you wish to take a break away from the fairways, tees and greens, head for the Championship Village, the entertainments and social hub of the tournament, which offers everything from a wide range of popular food and beverage outlets and activities for all the family to enjoy. Situated adjacent to the the Clubhouse and driving range, where golf trick-shot artist David Edwards performs three fascinating shows each day, the Championship Village features a giant screen, bean bags, exhibition stands, complimentary golf lessons and a dedicated Kids Zone. When play finishes for the day, the party continues with live music from popular Dubai bands the Maplejacks and Surburban Voodoo. LEFT BANK, adjacent to the 17th hole will once again provide the perfect setting, bringing fans up close and personal to some of the finest golfers in the world as they compete to become the sixth winner of the DP World Tour Championship, The European Tour’s season-ending grand finale. THE KIDS ZONE is located in the Championship Village, where Grass Roots Golf will be on hand to introduce the magical game of golf to the little ones and add a new dimension to your child’s growth, using colourful oversized clubs, soft balls and “sticky” targets. Bouncy castles and other fun games are also there to provide entertainment and fun for all ages. COMPLIMENTARY GOLF LESSONS for adults will be provided by professional instructors for everyone from beginners to experts, courtesy of the R&A and the EGF. When play is over each day, the party atmosphere will come alive with live music from two popular Dubai bands returning to the DP World Tour Championship by popular demand – the Maplejacks and Suburban Voodoo.

Amstel Light Sports Bar, Patron Bar, Baskin Robins, Hot Dog stand, Organic outlet and Melt, all located in the Championship Village. Alternatively, relax with friends and family on the course with a picnic on hole 6 and 13 or enjoy a drink at Left Bank on the 17th green or on the 18th Grandstand Bar, or stop at one of the Baskin Robins stands. The official radio partner for the DP World Tour Championship is Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen throughout the tournament for updates and live interviews as the station broadcasts live from the event. HOW TO GET HOME Taxi pick-ups and complimentary shuttle buses running from 14.00-20.00 each day of the tournament, will depart from the front of the Public Car Park (2A) going to popular Dubai destinations, including: Ibn Battuta Metro; Bidi Bondi (The Palm); Barasti; Dubai Marina Yacht Club; Motor City; Wafi and Arabian Ranches.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE: There is a wide selection of popular food and drink outlets to choose from, catering to all tastes and budgets. Take your pick from the BBQ Grill, N_K_D Pizza, Fish & Chips; Costa Coffee, Mouton Cadet Bar,

BMW ACE PRIZE

THIS stylishly stunning BMW 650i is the prize for any of the competing golfers who can produce a hole-in-one at the famous par 3 – 17th hole. The generous prize is provided courtesy of AGMC-BMW, Group Importer in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, the Official Car of the event.

World Tour Championship SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE FROM KIDS ZONE TO F&B OUTLETS

‘LUCKIEST BALL’ WINNER DIPESH MAKWANA DIPESH MAKWANA was the winner of the Grand Final of the Luckiest Ball on Earth competition held on the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates. After 22 events played across 20 Emirates Golf Federation affiliated golf clubs in the UAE with 818 competitors taking part, Dipesh won the chance to play with one of the top 60 players on The European Tour in the Rolex Pro-Am, the curtain-raiser to the US$8 million DP World Tour Championship. Dipesh is pictured left with Neal Graham, Jumeirah Golf Estates, General Manager – Club Operations (left) and Nick Tarratt, Director European Tour International Dubai Office.

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TRICK SHOT

DAVID EDWARDS THE ENTERTAINING TRICK SHOT ACE IN addition to watching some of the best golfers in the world in action this week, spectators at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai are being treated to some top-class entertainment from the world’s best trick shot artist, David Edwards. Back by popular demand, this is the fourth time David has been invited to entertain golf fans and families here at Jumeirah Golf Estates with his unique skills. The former European Tour player has performed his show, with its amazing array of wacky clubs, strange props and comical impersonations in more than 50 different countries, and has entertained crowds at The Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and The Open Championship, plus countless corporate days. He has also helped to raise more than £100,000 for charity with performances in China. But there’s something special about the DP World

Tour Championship that David believes makes the event top of the pile. “Returning to the DP World Tour Championship is something special because the first time I came I thought I might not be invited back the next year – but, thankfully, I was!” says Edwards, whose feats of skill are simply breathtaking as he hits a variety of golf shots and utilises unlikely props such as claw hammers, hosepipes and fishing rods.

Humour “I try to bring something special each time,” he says. “I like to generate as much audience participation as I can and add lots of humour into the show. I hit shots with various weird and wonderful clubs and I do impressions of some of the Tour players, which always go down well. This year I’ve added some new ones. “I want people who come to the

DP World Tour Championship to know that apart from watching the golf, they can come along to one of my shows and have fun. For me, this is the best tournament I go to all year. It’s the top 60 players on The European Tour and they are truly world class.” David’s shows are so entertaining that even the players want to get in on the act. “One of the most famous shows at the DP World Tour Championship was in 2010 when Rory McIlroy came over to watch the show, at the end of the practice range, with Louis Oosthuizen and asked if they could join in,” he says. “We ended up with Rory lying flat on the ground on his back with a golf tee in his mouth, which Louis held, while I hit a ball down the range (pictured below) – it was a good job I got it right.” David Edwards will be performing three shows each day of the tournament from the practice range here at Jumeirah Golf Estates. n

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: May 4, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Holywood, Northern Ireland HEIGHT: 5’ 10” 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 305.64 yards Driving Accuracy: 61.67% Greens In Regulation: 71.14% Putts per Round: 29.11 Sand Saves: 44.05% European Tour titles: 10

Rory McIlroy RORY McIlroy followed Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as only the third player in the modern era to win three Major titles by the age of 25 when he won The Open Championship at Hoylake in July. McIlroy followed that with his first World Golf Championships title at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and then a week later he won his fourth Major in near darkness at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla. In addition, the Ulsterman won the BMW PGA Championship at

Wentworth and scored 2½ points as Europe successfully retained The Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. McIlroy won his first Major title in some style, claiming the US Open in 2011 at Congressional Country Club by eight strokes. The following year he won the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island by the same margin and later that year clinched the title here at the DP World Tour Championship to seal The Race to Dubai for the first time in his career.

Connecting Minds, Creating the Future

Al Wasl Plaza, the figurative and literal heart of Expo 2020 Dubai

Welcome to Dubai. Connectivity and partnerships lie at the heart of the genesis of Dubai as a modern-day hub linking the East with the West. Before its evolution into the current state-of-the-art form, Dubai was a trading post facilitating the meeting of people and movement of goods, and was commonly known as Al Wasl – meaning ‘the connection’. Opportunities stem from connections and connecting people has often catalysed the birth of societies and civilisations. Dubai finds its roots in such a coming together of people and minds. Last year, the UAE won the rights to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, a powerful echo of the spirit of partnership and collaboration that have been instrumental in the city’s undeniable stewardship in innovation and its sustained progress. Since the first Great Fair in 1851, held in London, World Expos have been one of the largest and oldest global mega events, bringing together travellers from around the world, to visit pavilions of other nations, corporates and institutions, learn about the various exhibits and the themes, and experience other cultures… all in a single location.

Dubai’s World Expo 2020 expects 25 million visits, 70% of which will be from travellers outside the UAE, making it the first truly international Expo in history with more global than domestic visitors. Running 20 October 2020 through 10 April 2021, the Expo will launch the country’s Golden Jubilee celebration and serve as a springboard from which to inaugurate a progressive and sustainable tomorrow. This Expo will mark a historic moment for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, as the first Expo to be held in the region, allowing MENASA to stand as equal partners on the global stage. Connecting minds from around the world, under the themes of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, the Expo 2020 Dubai will serve as a catalyst to mobilise participants around shared global challenges, encourage visitors to see themselves as active contributors to collective innovation, and inspire youth to pioneer new paths towards creating a sustainable future.

www.expo2020dubai.ae

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: April 5, 1976 BIRTHPLACE: Gothenburg, Sweden HEIGHT: 6’ 2” 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 300.6 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.4% Greens In Regulation: 72% Putts per Round: 29.4 Sand Saves: 54.1% European Tour titles: 9

Henrik Stenson DEFENDING Champion Henrik Stenson is having another excellent season on The European Tour with top five finishes at the US Open and the US PGA Championship, a runner-up finish at the Volvo World Match Play Championship and third place at last week’s Turkish Airways Open. Stenson sealed last year’s Race to Dubai in emphatic fashion in a runaway six-shot victory here at the DP World Tour Championship. He had earlier won the US PGA Tour’s FedExCup, creating an unprecedented double. Highlights of his year included

runner-up finishes at The Open Championship and at the WGCBridgestone Invitational and a third place finish at the US PGA Championship. He won his first European Tour title in 2001 at the International Open and won again three years later at The Heritage. He collected two titles in 2006 and the following year he won the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship. He has played in three editions of the Ryder Cup, including this year at Gleneagles, where he scored three points as Europe retained the trophy.

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: October 19, 1975 BIRTHPLACE: Pontypridd, Wales HEIGHT: 6’ 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 290.77 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.06% Greens In Regulation: 69.02% Putts per Round: 28.98 Sand Saves: 60.2% European Tour titles: 3

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Jamie Donaldson JAMIE Donaldson etched his name into Ryder Cup folklore by hitting the winning shot at the 40th edition of the Matches at Gleneagles in September. The Welshman struck an immaculate wedge shot to within ‘gimme’ distance to close out Keegan Bradley 4&3 and take Europe over the winning 14 point mark. Donaldson has had an excellent campaign on The European Tour this year with early runner-up finishes at the NedBank Golf Challenge, at the WGCCadillac Championship and then a

third career win at the D+D REAL Czech Masters which cemented his place in Paul McGinley’s Ryder Cup Team. Donaldson won the first title of his career in 2012 with a runaway four-shot victory over Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Fabrizio Zanotti and Anthony Wall at the Irish Open at Royal Portrush. Last year proved he could win in the Middle East with a superb onestroke win over Justin Rose and Thorbjørn Olesen at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

DATE OF BIRTH: July 15, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Mettmann, Germany HEIGHT: 6’ 3” 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 294.59 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.6% Greens In Regulation: 68.1% Putts per Round: 29.12 Sand Saves: 52.3% European Tour titles: 4

Marcel Siem MARCEL Siem won for the third successive season on The European Tour earlier this month with a superb play-off victory at the BMW Masters. Siem chipped in for birdie on the first extra hole to deny Alexander Levy and Ross Fisher and take home a cheque for €1,666,600 and rocket up The Race to Dubai. Prior to the victory, Siem’s best result of 2014 was a share of seventh at the BMW PGA Championship and a tie for eighth place in last week’s Turkish Airlines Open. Siem turned professional in

2000 and earned his European Tour card for the 2003 campaign after making steady progress through the Challenge Tour. He won his first European Tour title in 2004 at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa but then underwent an eight year drought before his next victory. Siem clinched the Open de France in 2012 with a one-stroke win over Francesco Molinari on his way to finishing a career-best 14th on The Race to Dubai. Last year he won the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: January 9, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Castellon, Spain HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

Sergio Garcia

2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS

SERGIO Garcia wrapped up his 11th European Tour title earlier this year with a play-off victory over Mikko Ilonen at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. The Spaniard has had an excellent season with runner-up finishes at The Open Championship, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the NedBank Golf Challenge. In September he scored 2.5 points as Europe retained The Ryder Cup, taking his overall scoring record in the event to a superb 18-9-5. Garcia burst onto the scene in 1999 with two victories on The

Driving Distance: 292.39 yards Driving Accuracy: 61.31% Greens In Regulation: 70.02% Putts per Round: 29.46 Sand Saves: 49.3% European Tour titles: 11

European Tour, a runner-up finish to Tiger Woods at the US PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup debut at Brookline, all at the age of 19. He was a regular winner on both The European Tour and the US PGA Tour throughout the 2000s and in 2008 he had an excellent season with wins at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and The Players Championship in Florida. In 2012 he played his part in Europe’s epic comeback in The Ryder Cup at Medinah.

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: May 3, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA HEIGHT: 6’ 2”

2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 307.0 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.91% Greens In Regulation: 64.98% Putts per Round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 52.33% European Tour titles: 1

6 62

BROOKS KOEPKA BROOKS Koepka made his breakthrough in stunning fashion at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open as a final round seven under par 65 gave him a one-stroke victory over Ian Poulter. The American has had a solid season so far with four top tens in addition to his win, including a share of third place at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega European Masters plus a share of fourth at the US Open. His finish at Pinehurst booked his ticket to next season’s Masters Tournament.

Koepka began his professional career on the Challenge Tour in 2012, winning once at the Challenge de Catalunya on his way to finishing 43rd on the end of season ranking. Last year he dominated the Challenge Tour, winning three times to earn instant promotion to The European Tour. He won the Montecchia Golf Open presented by POLAROID and the Fred Olsen Challenge de Españ a before victory at the Scottish Hydro Challenge in June saw him join the elite on The European Tour.

DATE OF BIRTH: August 1, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Orange, California, United States HEIGHT: 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 298.8 yards Driving Accuracy: 60% Greens In Regulation: 70.7% Putts per Round: 29.6 Sand Saves: 58.6% European Tour titles: 2

Alexander Levy ALEXANDER Levy has come to the fore on The European Tour this season with breakthrough victories at the Volvo China Open and the Portugal Masters. The Frenchman sealed an impressive four-stroke win over Tommy Fleetwood in China before producing rounds of 63 and 61 at the rain-affected Portugal Masters for a three-shot victory ahead of Nicolas Colsaerts. Earlier this month he finished runner-up to Marcel Siem at the BMW Masters to cement his place in the top ten on The Race to Dubai. In

2012 Levy earned his European Tour through Qualifying School and last year he had a solid rookie campaign, finishing 109th on The Race to Dubai with three top tens, including a third place finish at the BMW International Open. Levy was a key member of the victorious French Eisenhower Trophy team in 2010 as he holed a remarkable 50-foot putt to win the trophy ahead of Denmark. He turned professional shortly after and played on the Challenge Tour before earning his European Tour playing rights.

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: July 30, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

Justin Rose

2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS

JUSTIN Rose joined the elite last year, courtesy of his Major breakthrough at the US Open at Merion. Rose became the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 when he defeated Phil Mickelson and Jason Day by two strokes. Rose has had another superb year in 2014 with victories on both The European Tour and the US PGA Tour, and he played a leading role in Europe’s convincing Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles. The Englishman won the Quicken Loans

Driving Distance: 293.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 65.3% Greens In Regulation: 70.2% Putts per Round: 29.27 Sand Saves: 56.7% European Tour titles: 8

National in the United States in June before wrapping up the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open two weeks later. At Gleneagles, Rose was unbeaten, scoring 4 points from 5 matches with three wins and two halves. Rose won his first World Golf Championships title at the 2012 WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral and went on to finish second on The Race to Dubai after finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy here at the DP World Tour Championship.

PLAYER PROFILES

DATE OF BIRTH: February 18, 1971 BIRTHPLACE: SIlkeborg, Denmark HEIGHT: 6’ 3” 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 283.5 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.6% Greens In Regulation: 66.6% Putts per Round: 28.72 Sand Saves: 61% European Tour titles: 15

9 66

Thomas Bjørn THOMAS Bjørn collected his 15th European Tour title in stunning fashion late last year as weekend rounds of 66-65 gave him a twoshot victory over Sergio Garcia and Jamie Donaldson at the NedBank Golf Challenge in South Africa. The win, which counts towards the 2014 Race to Dubai, was his second of the calendar year following his second career victory at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. Bjørn has had an excellent season with six top tens in addition to his

victory and he made a return to the European Ryder Cup Team at Gleneagles for the first time since 2002. Bjørn won the first of his European Tour titles in 1996 at the Loch Lomond World Invitational and the following year went on to become the first Dane to play in The Ryder Cup, at Valderrama. During his involvement in The Ryder Cup Björn has never tasted defeat. He was victorious as a player in 1997, 2002 and earlier this year and as a Vice Captain in 2004, 2010 and 2012.

DATE OF BIRTH: April 22, 1990 BIRTHPLACE: Cannes, France HEIGHT: 6â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1â&#x20AC;? 2014 GENWORTH STATISTICS Driving Distance: 302.7 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.2% Greens in Regulation: 67.9% Putts per round: 29.3 Sand Saves: 56.8% European Tour titles: 1

Victor Dubuisson VICTOR Dubuisson made his breakthrough on The European Tour in stunning fashion last season with a two-stroke victory over Jamie Donaldson at the Turkish Airlines Open with Tiger Woods and Justin Rose in a share of third place and with Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter also in contention. In addition to his win, Dubuisson posted six top tens, including a third place finish here at the DP World Tour Championship, and he ended the season in sixth place on The Race to Dubai. This year the Frenchman has

continued his fine form but is, as yet, to add to his title collection. He has finished runner-up three times in 2014 including a near miss at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Dubuisson clinched a maiden berth in The Ryder Cup where he excelled alongside Graeme McDowell in the foursomes, winning both their matches together. Dubuisson started playing golf at the age of 12 when he watched Tiger Woods win the 2002 Masters Tournament.

EMIRATES AIRLINE TWENTY20 20th March 2015

English County Cricket returns to the Sevens Dubai, 20th March 2015. For information on tickets, hospitality brunch and sponsorship contact: 050 159 8475 or info@SportArabia.co.uk

EMIRATES’ TWENTY20 SUCCESS THE Emirates Airline T20 cricket tournament was established back in 2010 as an early stage cricketing version of the hugely popular Emiratessponsored Dubai Rugby 7s. The tournament has since developed year-on-year into what is now a wellrespected and much anticipated event which many English County teams consider an integral part of their preseason preparations. The local cricketing community in the region has also embraced the event giving, as it does, cricket fans across the UAE the chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with some of the stars of the modern game.

Big Names In recent years big names such as Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Muttiah Muralitharan have all taken part, playing for either their own County side or representing the MCC, who are proud supporters of the tournament. Held at The 7evens Grounds, Emirates’ own purpose-built cricket venue located 20 minutes outside Dubai on the Al Ain Road, the Emirates Airline T20 offers local cricket fans the opportunity to come and watch top class cricket in a relaxed and social environment.

Star-studded line-ups Plans for the 2015 renewal are already taking shape with event organisers Sport Arabia Worldwide set to announce another array of cricketing stars for the event taking place on Friday 20th March. Whilst the final player line up is yet to be confirmed Tournament Director, Matthew Jackson, said that he expects the teams taking part to be MCC, Lancashire Lightning, Yorkshire Vikings and Sussex Sharks with each of the clubs fielding star-studded line-ups. “We’re working hard over the winter months to again secure big names for the 2015 event and I hope to be in a

position to announce these in the coming weeks. Rest assured that the MCC will again bring some of the highest profile names in the game to take part in what will, again be, a true ‘cricket-fest’,” said Jackson. Plans for the 2015 tournament include theming the off-field entertainment in to two distinct halves. One half of the hospitality area will feel ‘quintessentially English’ with ‘cucumber

sandwiches’ and Pimms aplenty whilst the other half will be set up for more of a South African ‘braai’ or Australian ‘barbie’ feel, both offering themed Brunch packages to suit. Tickets will be made available from January onwards through local sporting organisations with complimentary bus transport included. For more information go to www.emiratest20.com or e-mail: info@sportarabia.co.uk n

PLAYER PROFILES

Graeme McDowell GRAEME McDowell has had another superb season on The European Tour with the successful defence of his Open de France title and seven additional top tens. McDowell began the season strongly with top tens in the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship and the WGC-Cadillac Championship. In June he finished in a share of sixth at the Irish Open before he triumphed in Paris with a one-stroke win over American Kevin Stadler and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. In September McDowell played a starring role in Europe’s successful Ryder Cup defence, with three points from three matches McDowell became the first European winner of the US Open in 40 years when he won at Pebble Beach in 2010. He later capped a hugely successful season by winning the Andalucía Valderrama Masters to finish second on The Race to Dubai.

DATE OF BIRTH: July 30, 1979 BIRTHPLACE: Portrush, Northern Ireland HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 274.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.7% Greens In Regulation: 68.27% Putts per Round: 28.66 Sand Saves: 47.4%

European Tour titles: 11

DATE OF BIRTH: December 28, 1984

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.27% Greens In Regulation: 67.1% Putts per Round: 30.1 Sand Saves: 49.3%

European Tour titles: 11

Martin Kaymer MARTIN Kaymer became a two-time Major champion earlier this year as he eased to a sensational eight-stroke victory at the US Open at Pinehurst. Kaymer, who also won The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour in May this year, won his first Major in 2010 with a play-off victory over Bubba Watson at the US PGA Championship. That win was the second of four victories on The European Tour in 2010 and he comfortably topped The Race to Dubai for the first time in his career with earnings of €4,461,011. His other victories were at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the KLM Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews. Kaymer has played in the last three Ryder Cups and had the honour of holing the winning putt in 2012 at Medinah.

BIRTHPLACE: Dusseldorf, Germany HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

Ian Poulter

DATE OF BIRTH: January 10, 1976 BIRTHPLACE: Hitchin, England HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 277.6 yards Driving Accuracy: 64.4% Greens in Regulation: 64.7% Putts per round: 29.2 Sand Saves: 52.8%

European Tour titles: 12

IAN Poulter posted his second top ten finish of the season at the WGCHSBC Champions in Shanghai to qualify for the DP World Tour Championship and then finished runner-up in last week’s Turkish Airlines Open to leap into 13th place in The Race to Dubai. His return to form included his other top ten finish of 2014 at the Volvo China Open in April. Poulter collected the second WGC title of his career in 2012 with a two-stroke win at the WGC-HSBC Champions. He won his first at the WGCAccenture Match Play Championship in 2010 and the following year he won the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Poulter has played in five Ryder Cups and boasts one of the most impressive records of the modern era of 12-4-2, which equates to 13 points from 18 matches.

Joost Luiten

DATE OF BIRTH: January 7, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Bleiswijk, Netherlands HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.33% Greens in Regulation: 75.28% Putts per round: 30.74 Sand Saves: 55.55%

European Tour titles: 4

JOOST Luiten sealed his fourth European Tour title at this year’s ISPS Handa Wales Open where he defeated Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry by a single shot at The Celtic Manor Resort. The Dutchman has had a fruitful season on Tour with his win at the ISPS Handa Wales Open being part of seven top five results, including a third place finish in his defence of the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity and third place at the Volvo World Match Play Championship at the London Golf Club. Last year Luiten thrilled his home crowd when he became the first local winner of the KLM Open in ten years. He recorded his maiden European Tour title at the Iskandar Johor Open where he fired a final round 65 to win by one stroke over Sweden’s Daniel Chopra.

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PLAYER PROFILES

Stephen Gallacher

DATE OF BIRTH: November 1, 1974 BIRTHPLACE: Dechmont, Scotland HEIGHT: 6’ 3’’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 295.58 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.84% Greens in Regulation: 70.98% Putts per round: 29.91 Sand Saves: 53.55%

European Tour titles: 3

AFTER ending an eight year wait for a European Tour title with a stunning victory at the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Steven Gallacher retuned to Dubai this year to become the first man to successfully defend the title. The Scot held off a late charge from Argentine Emiliano Grillo at Emirates Golf Club on a thrilling final day to seal a one stroke victory for his second win since the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. His maiden win came on home soil at the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship where he defeated Graeme McDowell in a play-off. Despite narrowly missing out on an automatic place in this year’s Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Gallacher became a member of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup Team after being named as one of the three captain’s picks by Paul McGinley.

Mikko Ilonen

DATE OF BIRTH: December 18, 1979 BIRTHPLACE: Lahti, Finland HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 284.3 yards Driving Accuracy: 57% Greens in Regulation: 66.6% Putts per round: 28.5 Sand Saves: 44.7%

European Tour titles: 5

MIKKO Ilonen wrapped up his fourth and fifth European Tour titles this season with excellent victories at the Irish Open at Foto Island Resort in County Cork and at the Volvo World Match Play Championship at the London Golf Club. The Finn defeated Edoardo Molinari by one stroke to triumph in Ireland before he downed fellow Scandinavian Henrik Stenson in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship for the biggest title of his career to date. Last season Ilonen ended a six year wait for a victory with a threestroke win over Jonas Blixt at the Nordea Masters. The win saw him finish a career-high 23rd place on The Race to Dubai ranking. His maiden win on The European Tour came at the 2007 Indonesian Open where he beat Shiv Kapur, Frankie Minoza and Andrew Tampion by a single shot.

PLAYER PROFILES

Shane Lowry SHANE Lowry has enjoyed a successful season on Tour, finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy at The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and tied second to Joost Luiten at the ISPS Handa Wales Open. He also posted top tens at The Open Championship, the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and the Volvo World Match Play Championship. As a 22-year-old amateur, Lowry became only the third amateur to win a European Tour event when he defeated England’s Robert Rock in the third hole of a play-off at the 2009 Irish Open. The Irishman carded a magnificent final round of 66 to win his second European Tour title at the 2012 Portugal Masters, defeating Ross Fisher by a shot.

DATE OF BIRTH: April 2, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Clara, Republic of Ireland HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 291.59 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.65% Greens in Regulation: 68.59% Putts per round: 29.05 Sand Saves: 45.55%

European Tour titles: 2

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 294.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.9 Greens in Regulation: 73.4% Putts per round: 29.8 Sand Saves: 53.7%

European Tour titles: 5

Ross Fisher ROSS Fisher collected his fifth European Tour title earlier this season with a three-stroke victory over Michael Hoey and Danie Van Tonder at the Tshwane Open in South Africa. Fisher’s last victory came in 2010 at the Irish Open and prior to that he was a regular winner on The European Tour. He made his breakthrough at the 2007 KLM Open when he beat the home favourite Joost Luiten by one stroke and followed it a year later with a stunning seven-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia at the European Open before he won the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin in 2009. In 2010 he sealed his spot in the European Ryder Cup side at The Celtic Manor Resort with victory in Ireland at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club and he contributed 2 points in Wales as Europe won 14.5-13.5.

DATE OF BIRTH: November 22, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Ascot, England HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

Miguel Angel Jiménez

DATE OF BIRTH: January 5, 1964 BIRTHPLACE: Malaga, Spain HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 278.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 65.15% Greens in Regulation: 62.1% Putts per round: 28.5 Sand Saves: 58.2%

European Tour titles: 21

19 19

MIGUEL Angel Jiménez broke his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history when he won this year’s Open de España aged 50 years and 133 days. It was his 21st win on The European Tour in a career that has spanned three decades. In April the Spaniard also made a swashbuckling debut to his Senior career on the US Champions Tour, winning the Greater Gwinnett Championship by two shots from Bernhard Langer. In April he also finished fourth at The Masters Tournament for his best career finish at Augusta National. Last week he tied for fourth in the Turkish Airlines Open with four others. Jimenéz won his first title in 1992 at the Belgian Open and since turning 40 in 2004 he has won 14 of his 21 titles. He played in four Ryder Cups and was a Vice-Captain at Gleneagles in September.

Louis Oosthuizen

DATE OF BIRTH: October 19, 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Mossel Bay, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 289 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.7% Greens in Regulation: 67.3% Putts per round: 29.6 Sand Saves: 52.4%

European Tour titles: 7

SINCE strolling to a sevenstroke victory at the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews Louis Oosthuizen has blossomed into one of the most consistent players in the world. The South African picked up his first Major at the Home of Golf in only his ninth start in a Major and it came just a few months after he won his first European Tour title at the Open de Andalucia. He won the Africa Open in 2011 and 2012 and after suffering the heartache of losing a play-off to Bubba Watson at the 2012 Masters Tournament he won the Maybank Malaysian Open the following week. Earlier this year Oosthuizen successfully defended his title at the Volvo Golf Champions at Durban Country Club for his seventh European Tour title. He has also posted three top tens this year.

PLAYER PROFILES

Thongchai Jaidee

DATE OF BIRTH: November 8, 1969 BIRTHPLACE: Lop Buri, Thailand HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 280.7 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.9% Greens in Regulation: 68.7% Putts per round: 29.1 Sand Saves: 48.8%

European Tour titles: 6

THONGCHAI Jaidee wrapped up his sixth European Tour title earlier this year with a play-off win over Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher at the Nordea Masters. Jaidee was a regular winner on the Asian Tour before he clinched his first European Tour title in 2004 at the Carlsberg Malaysian Open. He successfully defended his title in 2005 and in 2009 he won twice on The European Tour at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the Ballantine’s Championship on his way to finishing the season 19th on The Race to Dubai. In 2012 the former Royal Thai Army paratrooper won the ISPS Handa Wales Open but 2013 was his best season on The European Tour. He finished ninth on The Race to Dubai with two runner-up finishes and five additional top tens.

Tommy Fleetwood

DATE OF BIRTH: January 19, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Southport, England HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.3 yards Driving Accuracy: 66.8% Greens in Regulation: 72.7% Putts per round: 30 Sand Saves: 60%

European Tour titles: 1

TOMMY Fleetwood has been runnerup three times on The European Tour this year as he goes in search of his second career victory. The man from Southport collected his first title at last year’s Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, emerging victorious in a play-off against Stephen Gallacher and Ricardo Gonzalez. In 2014 he has finished runner-up at the Volvo China Open, the ISPS Handa Wales Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and has collected four additional top tens. Fleetwood earned his European Tour card after a superb campaign on the Challenge Tour in 2011. He won the Kazakhstan Open and two additional second place finishes confirmed his position at the top of the Challenge Tour rankings at the end of the season. In his rookie European Tour season of 2012 he finished 109th on The Race to Dubai.

PLAYER PROFILES

Charl Schwartzel CHARL Schwartel collected his ninth victory on The European Tour earlier this season after he successfully defended his title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on home soil at Leopard Creek. It was his second win since his outstanding triumph at The Masters Tournament in 2011 when he birdied the final four holes to produce a stunning two-stroke victory and join compatriots Gary Player and Trevor Immelman as winners at Augusta National. Schwartzel won his first European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2005 and won twice in Spain at the Open de España in 2007 and the Madrid Masters the following year. He won back-to-back Joburg Opens in 2010 and 2011 and with the addition of his Major triumph in 2011 he finished a career-high fourth on The Race to Dubai.

DATE OF BIRTH: August 31, 1984 BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 301.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.2% Greens in Regulation: 65.7% Putts per round: 28.7 Sand Saves: 65.2%

European Tour titles: 9

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 288.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.3% Greens in Regulation: 65% Putts per round: 28.4 Sand Saves: 59.4%

European Tour titles: 1

George Coetzee GEORGE Coetzee finally made his breakthrough on The European Tour earlier this year with a three-stroke win over Jin Jeong, Tyrell Hatton and Justin Walters at the Joburg Open. In addition, he has posted five topten finishes, including a recent share of tenth place at the BMW Masters. Coetzee had finished runnerup three times on The European Tour before his win this year, most recently to Chris Wood at the 2013 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club and also to Henrik Stenson at the SA Open Championship in 2012. The South African’s best finish on The Race to Dubai came in 2012 when he was 21st. He has won four times on his native Sunshine Tour in South Africa, including the 2011 Telkom PGA Championship and the 2008 SAA Pro-Am Invitational.

DATE OF BIRTH: July 18, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Pretoria, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

Lee Westwood

DATE OF BIRTH: April 24, 1973 BIRTHPLACE: Worksop, United Kingdom HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 292.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.82% Greens in Regulation: 64.91 Putts per round: 29.05 Sand Saves: 60.00%

European Tour titles: 24

LEE Westwood won the inaugural Race to Dubai and DP World Tour Championship in 2009, beating Ross McGowan by six shots here at the Earth course. He sealed his 24th European Tour title at this year’s Maybank Malaysian Open, firing an opening round 65 on his way to a seven shot victory. The Englishman also finished seventh at The Masters and was a part of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup Team at Gleneagles, where he represented Europe in an eighth consecutive Ryder Cup. He also shared eighth place at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open. Westwood’s maiden win on The European Tour came at the 1996 Volvo Scandinavian Masters where he defeated Paul Broadhurst and Russell Claydon in a play-off. In November 2010, he displaced Tiger Woods to become the World Number One for the first time in his career.

Danny Willett

DATE OF BIRTH: October 3, 1987 BIRTHPLACE: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.33% Greens in Regulation: 75.28% Putts per round: 30.74 Sand Saves: 55.55%

European Tour titles: 1

DANNY Willett has recorded six top-ten finishes this season, with a four-man share of fourth place at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open and a tie for eighth at the BMW International Open, the same tournament where he recorded his first and only European Tour win in 2012 when he defeated Marcus Fraser on the fourth hole of a play-off. That year he also finished tied for second at the Omega European Masters on his way to securing 23rd place in The Race to Dubai rankings. After earning his European Tour card for the 2009 season through Qualifying School, Willett enjoyed an impressive rookie season with eight top-ten results, finishing 58th in the inaugural Race to Dubai. His dazzling amateur career includes winning the English Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s in Kent and being named the Number One Amateur in Europe.

PLAYER PROFILES

Romain Wattel

DATE OF BIRTH: January 10, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Montpellier, France HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 294.84 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.75% Greens in Regulation: 70.6 Putts per round: 29.13 Sand Saves: 49.88%

European Tour titles: 0

ROMAIN Wattel has enjoyed a promising season on The European Tour, recording eight top ten finishes, including five in his last six events. A resident of Dubai, Wattel’s best result on Tour came at the 2012 Omega European Masters where he finished in a share of second place to winner Richie Ramsay. That year he also finished in a tie for third place at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles to secure 51st place in The Race to Dubai. He played the 2010 European Challenge Tour season as an amateur and became only the fifth amateur to win on the Challenge Tour when he triumphed at the ALLIANZ European Strasbourg by three shots. He went on to turn professional later that year and earned his European Tour playing card by finishing in a share of ninth place at Qualifying School.

Marc Warren

DATE OF BIRTH: April 1, 1981 BIRTHPLACE: Rutherglen, Scotland HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 288.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.3% Greens in Regulation: 68% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 57.1%

European Tour titles: 3

MARC Warren clinched his third European Tour title and his first since 2007 with a two-shot win over Bradley Dredge at the Made in Denmark tournament in August. The Scot burst onto the scene in 2006 when he won the Scandinavian Masters en route to winning the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. The following year he tasted victory on home soil with a play-off win over Simon Wakefield at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and later in the season he partnered Colin Montgomerie to victory in the Mission Hills World Cup of Golf. As an amateur, in 2001 Warren holed the winning putt at the Walker Cup and he turned professional the following year. In 2005 he topped the European Challenge Tour rankings to earn his card to play on The European Tour 2006 International Schedule.

PLAYER PROFILES

Jonas Blixt AFTER a string of top ten finishes in his rookie season, Jonas Blixt finally won his maiden US PGA Tour title at the 2012 Frys.com Open, defeating Jason Kokrak and Tim Petrovic by one stroke. A year later the Swede shot a final round of 67 to win his second title at the Greenbrier Classic by two strokes. A graduate of the Nationwide Tour, Blixt already has an impressive record in Majors, tying for second at this year’s Masters Tournament and finishing fourth in last year’s US PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Blixt attended Florida State University on a golf scholarship and he had an illustrious amateur career that included four wins and a place on the 2008 All-Nicklaus team. He has also competed in the Palmer Cup twice, representing Europe in 2007 and 2008.

DATE OF BIRTH: April 24, 1884 BIRTHPLACE: Nässjö, Sweden HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 283.5 yards Driving Accuracy: 57.4% Greens in Regulation: 58.1% Putts per round: 28.6 Sand Saves: 43.8%

European Tour titles: 0

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 285.3 Driving Accuracy: 56.57% Greens in Regulation: 65.77 Putts per round: 28.85 Sand Saves: 57.03%

European Tour titles: 3

29 29

Pablo Larrazábal PABLO Larrazábal secured his third win on The European Tour earlier this year at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where he birdied the final hole for a one stroke victory over Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson. He has gone on to post four top ten finishes this season. In 2008 the 31-year-old won his maiden European Tour title in his rookie season at the ALSTOM Open de France by carding a superb final round of 67 to finish four strokes ahead of Colin Montgomerie. That year Larrazábal finished 18th in The Race to Dubai and was also named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. Three years later he recorded his second Tour win at the 2011 BMW International Open in Germany, edging out fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia on the fifth extra hole of a play-off.

DATE OF BIRTH: May 15, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Barcelona, Spain HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

Andy Sullivan

DATE OF BIRTH: May 19, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Nuneaton, England HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 290 yards Driving Accuracy: 67.7% Greens in Regulation: 67,9% Putts per round: 29.5 Sand Saves: 68.9%

European Tour titles: 0

ANDY Sullivan is currently enjoying the best season of his career on The European Tour. He finished runner-up at this year’s Trophée Hassan II in Morocco, third at the KLM Open and tied for fourth in last week’s Turkish Airlines Open. He’s also had two more top ten finishes. After graduating for the second time from the Qualifying School Final Stage in 2012, he made a promising start to the 2013 season, recording top-ten results at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Africa Open. Sullivan had a fruitful amateur career, representing a victorious Great Britain and Ireland squad in the 2011 Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club where he won both his foursomes matches. He has also won amateur titles around the world including wins in Argentina, Australia and at the Scottish Amateur Open Stroke Play Championship.

Thorbjørn Olesen

DATE OF BIRTH: December 21, 1989 BIRTHPLACE: Furesø, Denmark HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 295.45 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.68% Greens in Regulation: 69.66% Putts per round: 29.56 Sand Saves: 62.12%

European Tour titles: 2

THORBJØRN Olesen secured his second win on The European Tour when he won last month’s ISPS HANDA Perth International in Australia, by three strokes from Victor Dubuisson. In 2011, the Dane finished runnerup three times in his rookie season on Tour before recording his maiden win at the 2012 Sicilian Open where he held off a gallant challenge from Chris Wood to win the tournament by just a single shot. That year he also ended the season a career-best 15th in The Race to Dubai. Olesen finished tied for 21st here at the 2012 DP World Tour Championship to move into the top 50 in the World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career and thereby booked his place in his first ever Masters Tournament.

PLAYER PROFILES

Fabrizio Zanotti

DATE OF BIRTH: May 21, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Asunción, Paraguay HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 285.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 64.68% Greens in Regulation: 68.87 Putts per round: 29.38 Sand Saves: 43.85%

European Tour titles: 1

FABRIZIO Zanotti made history when he became the first Paraguayan to win on The European Tour, emerging victorious from a four man play-off at this year’s BMW International Open in Germany. After regulation play Zanotti was tied with Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Gregory Havret and Henrik Stenson on 19 under par and it took five extra holes of sudden-death before the winner was finally crowned. Prior to his maiden title, the Paraguayan came close to a breakthrough win, finishing runner-up on three occasions at the 2009 Open de España, the 2010 KLM Open and at the Irish Open in 2012. His win at the BMW International Open was one of five top ten results for Zanotti so far this season, which also includes a tie for fifth at the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity.

Ernie Els

DATE OF BIRTH: October 17, 1969 BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa HEIGHT: 6’3”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 285.94 yards Driving Accuracy: 54.43% Greens in Regulation: 64.64 Putts per round: 29.56 Sand Saves: 42.00%

European Tour titles: 28

ERNIE Els sealed his 28th European Tour title last year at the BMW International Open where he won by a shot from Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn. His three top ten finishes this season include fourth place at the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship where he lost out to Rickie Fowler on the 19th hole of the consolation match. The Big Easy became a four-time Major winner at the 2012 Open Championship, courtesy of a gutsy one shot victory over Adam Scott at Royal Lytham. The big South African fired a memorable final round 68 to win the second Claret Jug of his career. The former World Number One topped the 2003 and 2004 European Tour Order of Merit and has won the World Match Play Championship a record seven times.

PLAYER PROFILES

Branden Grace IN 2012, Branden Grace wrote himself into the history books when became the first ever player in the history of The European Tour to record his first four European Tour wins in the same year. The South African recorded wins at the Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions, Volvo China Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on his way to finishing sixth in The Race to Dubai. Last year Grace lost out in a playoff to Phil Mickelson at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. So far this season his best result has come at the Volvo Golf Champions where he finished as the lone runner-up to Louis Oosthuizen. Grace earned his European Tour card at the 2011 Qualifying School Final Stage. Before turning professional, he won the South African Amateur Stroke Play Championship in 2006

DATE OF BIRTH: May 20, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Pretoria, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 292.81 yards Driving Accuracy: 54.92% Greens in Regulation: 69.95 Putts per round: 29.7 Sand Saves: 67.45%

European Tour titles: 4

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 282.09 yards Driving Accuracy: 71.27% Greens in Regulation: 70.66 Putts per round: 29.91 Sand Saves: 40.13%

European Tour titles: 3

Francesco Molinari ITALY’S Francesco Molinari, the younger of the two Molinari brothers, won his maiden European Tour title in 2006 at the Telecom Italia Open, carding a final round 65 to win by four strokes over Anders Hansen and Jarmo Sandelin. He had to wait four years for his next victory which came at the prestigious WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai where he triumphed over Lee Westwood by a single shot. This season Molinari has recorded two top tens, including a tie for seventh place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Molinari was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup Team in 2010 at The Celtic Manor Resort and again in 2012 at the ‘Miracle in Medinah’ where he halved his match with Tiger Woods in Sunday’s singles to secure an outright victory for the Europeans.

DATE OF BIRTH: November 8, 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Turin, Italy HEIGHT: 5’ 8”

Edoardo Molinari

DATE OF BIRTH: February 11, 1981 BIRTHPLACE: Turin, Italy HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 285.73 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.86% Greens in Regulation: 69.17 Putts per round: 29.27 Sand Saves: 43.79%

European Tour titles: 2

EDOARDO Molinari’s four top tens this season includes a runner-up finish to Finland’s Mikko Ilonen at the Irish Open at Foto Island in County Cork. Both of Molinari’s European Tour wins came in Scotland during a memorable 2010 season. He sealed his maiden victory on Tour with a three shot win over Darren Clarke at the Barclays Scottish Open and then won the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles by a shot from Brett Rumford. That year he finished 11th in The Race to Dubai. In 2010, Molinari and his younger brother Francesco were part of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup squad at The Celtic Manor Resort. The older Molinari brother had a dazzling amateur career, winning several national championships and becoming the first ever Italian and Continental European to win the U.S. Amateur in 2005.

Bernd Wiesberger

DATE OF BIRTH: October 8, 1985 BIRTHPLACE: Vienna, Austria HEIGHT: 6’ 2”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 292.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.25% Greens in Regulation: 73.32 Putts per round: 30.33 Sand Saves: 47.00%

European Tour titles: 2

BERND Wiesberger lost to Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg in a play-off at this year’s Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity to narrowly miss out on securing his third European Tour win and his second Lyoness Open title. This season he also finished tied runner-up at the Maybank Malaysian Open, sixth at the 71° OPEN D’ITALIA Presented by DAMIANI and went into the final round at the US PGA Championship at Valhalla just one shot behind the eventual winner Rory McIlroy. Both of the Austrian’s wins on The European Tour came during a memorable 2012 season. His maiden win came at the Ballantine’s Championship in Singapore where he romped home to victory by five shots over Richie Ramsay. His second victory was at his local Lyoness Open, where he finished the tournament three shots clear of Thomas Levet and Shane Lowry.

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PLAYER PROFILES

Emiliano Grillo

DATE OF BIRTH: September 14, 1992 BIRTHPLACE: Resistencia, Argentina HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.3% Greens in Regulation: 75.3% Putts per round: 30.7 Sand Saves: 50%

European Tour titles: 0

EMILIANO Grillo recorded his best result on The European Tour at this year’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, finishing as the lone runner-up behind Stephen Gallacher. After turning professional in 2011, Grillo earned his European Tour card by firing a round of 65 in the fifth round of the Qualifying School Final Stage at the PGA Catalunya Resort to secure the ninth card on offer. He made an impression straight away, finishing tied for tenth at the 2012 African Open, his first ever event on The European Tour. He went on to complete his debut season on Tour with two more top ten finishes. The 22-year-old Argentinian has four top-ten finishes so far this season, including a tie for eighth place at the European Tour’s opening Final Series event, the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

39 Simon Dyson

DATE OF BIRTH: December 21, 1977 BIRTHPLACE: York, England HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 287.18 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.92% Greens in Regulation: 72.48 Putts per round: 30.07 Sand Saves: 76.44%

European Tour titles: 6

SIMON Dyson fired a final round 65 to stage a brilliant fight-back at this year’s KLM Open but had to settle for seond place, just one shot short of eventual winner Paul Casey. The lone runner-up finish was one of the Englishman’s seven top ten results this year, which also includes a tie for third place at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa. Dyson won the first of his six European Tour titles at the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesian Open in 2006 where he defeated Andrew Buckle by a single shot. In 2011 he won the KLM Open for the third time in his career, firing a brilliant final round of 66 to overcome David Lynn by just one shot. That year he also finished in a career-best tenth in The Race to Dubai.

PLAYER PROFILES

Robert Karlsson ROBERT Karlsson won the 2010 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in a play-off over Ian Poulter, lifting him to sixth in the 2010 Race to Dubai. The win was the Swede’s eleventh European Tour title and his second of the season after he won the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters earlier in the year. Karlsson has enjoyed a solid season on Tour this year, recording four top-ten finishes, including fourth place at the ALSTON Open de France. His maiden win came at the 1995 Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia where he won by three shots from four players who shared the runners-up spot. Since then he has won twice, in 2006 and in 2008 on his way to becoming the first Swedish player to capture the Harry Vardon Trophy as Europe’s Number One in 2008.

DATE OF BIRTH: September 3, 1969 BIRTHPLACE: Katrineholm, Sweden HEIGHT: 6’5”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.33% Greens in Regulation: 75.28% Putts per round: 30.74 Sand Saves: 55.55%

European Tour titles: 11

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.33% Greens in Regulation: 75.28% Putts per round: 30.74 Sand Saves: 55.55%

European Tour titles: 6

Richard Sterne RICHARD Sterne finished tied for fourth at this year’s WGC - Cadillac Championship at the Trump National Doral before recording his second top-ten finish of the season at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. The six-time European Tour winner recorded his last win at the 2013 Joburg Open where he fired a final round 64 to defeat Charl Schwartzel by a massive seven strokes. The win came on the back of a four year title drought after he won the South African Open Championship and the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2009. The South African’s maiden win on The European Tour came in 2004 when he won the Open de Madrid by two shots from Anders Hansen. The victory ensured that he retained his playing rights on The European Tour for the forthcoming season.

DATE OF BIRTH: August 27, 1981 BIRTHPLACE: Pretoria, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

Nicolas Colsaerts

DATE OF BIRTH: November 14, 1982 BIRTHPLACE: Brussels, Belgium HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 313 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.3% Greens in Regulation: 73.8% Putts per round: 31.3 Sand Saves: 29.1%

European Tour titles: 2

NICHOLAS Colsaerts’ four top-tens this season include runner-up finishes at the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Portugal Masters. The Belgian secured his maiden win at the 2011 Volvo China Open and followed it up a year later with a 1-up victory over Graeme McDowell at the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Colsaerts, popularly known as “The Belgian Bomber,” due to the distance of his drives, turned professional in 2000 and went on to earn his European Tour playing card at the 2000 Qualifying School. Picked by Captain José María Olazábal as a wildcard, he palyed a vital part in the victorious Ryder Cup Team in 2012 at the Miracle in Medinah where he shot the finest opening round by a rookie in European Ryder Cup history. He ended the season 11th on The Race to Dubai.

43 Kristoffer Broberg

DATE OF BIRTH: August 1, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Stockholm, Sweden HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.88 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.33% Greens in Regulation: 75.28% Putts per round: 30.74 Sand Saves: 55.55%

European Tour titles: 0

KRISTOFFER Broberg finished as the lone runner-up at this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, ending the tournament two shots behind winner Justin Rose. Broberg’s next best result this season has been a tie for third at the Irish Open. The Swede earned instant automatic promotion to The European Tour in 2012 after he won three times on the European Challenge Tour, all within the month of August. He triumphed at the Finnish Challenge, the Norwegian Challenge and the Rolex Trophy on his way to becoming the fastest player ever to achieve promotion to The Europe Tour after playing just five events. For good measure, Broberg went on to win one more time on the Challenge Tour that season, claiming the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Challenge hosted by Royal Golf Club to move to the top of the Rankings.

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PLAYER PROFILES

Richie Ramsay

DATE OF BIRTH: June 16, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Aberdeen, Scotland HEIGHT: 5’9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 279.56 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.74% Greens in Regulation: 71.53% Putts per round: 29.53 Sand Saves: 61.43%

European Tour titles: 2

SCOTLAND’S Richie Ramsay came close to securing the third European Tour title of his career when he finished tied for second place at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Ramsay had a glittering amateur career, becoming the first British golfer in almost a century to win the US Amateur when he won the prestigious tournament in 2006. He turned professional in 2007 and spent two years on the European Challenge Tour, winning twice before graduating to The European Tour in 2009. The Scot’s maiden win came at the 2010 South African Open Championship where he defeated India’s Shiv Kapur in a play-off. The Challenge Tour graduate has had a fruitful season, recording six top ten results including his runnerup finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Tyrrell Hatton

DATE OF BIRTH: October 14, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: High Wycombe, England HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 287.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 64.7% Greens in Regulation: 69.3% Putts per round: 29.6 Sand Saves: 63%

European Tour titles: 0

TYRRELL Hatton graduated from the European Challenge Tour last year after he finished 10th in the rankings, thanks largely to a timely late-season charge which included back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Kazakhstan Open and The Foshan Open. He confirmed his graduation to The European Tour with a tied sixth place finish at the Dubai Festival City Challenge Tour Grand Final hosted by Al Badia Golf Club. Hatton’s best finish in his rookie year in the top tier this season has been a tie for second place at the Joburg Open where he finished three shots behind George Coetzee. Hatton also recorded top-five finishes at this year’s Omega European Masters and Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, which enabled him to qualify for The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

PLAYER PROFILES

Hennie Otto HENNIE Otto secured his third victory on The European Tour at this year’s 71° OPEN D’ITALIA Presented by DAMIANI where he won by two shots from David Howell. Playing in just his second event after two back operations this summer, Otto set the tone for the tournament with a stunning 62 in the second round and carded a final round 68 to record his first win since 2011. A graduate of the European Challenge Tour, Otto recorded his maiden win on the top tier at the 2008 Methorios Capital Italian Open where he held off a late charge from England’s Oliver Wilson to win by a single shot. Three years later Otto would win the South African Open Championship by a shot from Bernd Wiesberger.

DATE OF BIRTH: June 25, 1976 BIRTHPLACE: Boksburg, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 290.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 68.8% Greens in Regulation: 71% Putts per round: 29.3 Sand Saves: 56.7%

European Tour titles: 3

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 293.1 yards Driving Accuracy: 58.6% Greens in Regulation: 73,7% Putts per round: 30.2 Sand Saves: 54,3%

European Tour titles: 2

Rafa Cabrera-Bello RAFA Cabrera-Bello lost out to Fabrizio Zanotti in a four-man play-off at this year’s BMW International Open in Cologne. His share of second place was one of six top ten results for the Spaniard this season, which also includes a tie for third place at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Cub. After recording his maiden win at the 2009 Austrian Golf Open, courtesy of a blitzkrieg final round of 60, Cabrera-Bello won his second European Tour title at the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic where he carded a stunning opening round of 63 on his way to holding off a starstudded field for the win. Having grown up next to a golf course in the Canary Islands, he had a dazzling amateur career, winning the Spanish National Championship at every age group level from under-7 to under-18.

DATE OF BIRTH: May 25, 1984 BIRTHPLACE: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain HEIGHT: 6’ 2”

Wade Ormsby

DATE OF BIRTH: March 31, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Adelaide, Australia HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 279 yards Driving Accuracy: 69.3% Greens in Regulation: 68.2% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 65.6%

European Tour titles: 0

Wade Ormsby is set for his best ever finish on The Race to Dubai as he makes his DP World Tour Championship debut this week. The Australian opened with a 65 at Antalya and finished in a share of fourth place at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open, with Jiménez, Sullivan, and Willett, to move inside the top 60 on the ranking. In addition he finished in a share of eighth place at the Hong Kong Open and last month a tie for ninth at the ISPS HANDA Perth International. Ormsby is something of a Qualfying School expert, having won his ninth European Tour card in 2013 at the PGA Catalunya Resort. It was the sixth successful time in eight trips since 2003. He started playing golf at the age of three and as an amateur he reached the semifinals of the Australian Amateur Championships in 1996.

Eddie Pepperell

DATE OF BIRTH: January 22, 1991 BIRTHPLACE: Oxfordshire, United Kingdom HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 275.31 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.73% Greens in Regulation: 66.18 Putts per round: 29.9 Sand Saves: 70.04%

European Tour titles: 0

EDDIE Pepperell has had a fruitful season on Tour, putting together a string of top-five finishes, including fourth at the KLM Open and ISPS Handa Wales Open, and posting a tenth place at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open. Pepperell clinched his European Tour card by finishing 13th in the 2012 European Challenge Tour rankings, thanks largely to a play-off win over Denmark’s Jeppe Huldahl at the ALLIANZ Open Côtes d’Armor Bretagne. Playing in his rookie season last year, he finished tied for sixth at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and tied for eighth at the Open de España. Prior to turning professional in 2011, Pepperell enjoyed a successful amateur career playing in three victorious Jacques Léglise Trophy teams.

PLAYER PROFILES

Luke Donald LUKE Donald finished tied for third at this year’s BMW PGA Championship, a tournament he won in consecutive years in 2011 and 2012. In 2011 he defeated Lee Westwood in a thrilling play-off to secure the win and take him to World Number One for the first time in his career. He also became the first player to win both The European Tour ‘s Race to Dubai and the US PGA Tour’s money list in the same season. Two years ago the Englishman fired a final round 68 at the Wentworth Club to give himself a four shot victory over Paul Lawrie and Justin Rose and successfully defend his BMW PGA Championship title. He has been part of four triumphant Ryder Cup Teams, playing key roles in Europe’s victories in 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2012.

DATE OF BIRTH: December 7, 1977 BIRTHPLACE: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 270.9 yards Driving Accuracy: 56.5% Greens in Regulation: 63.4% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 52.6%

European Tour titles: 7

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 274.8 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.7% Greens in Regulation: 71.1% Putts per round: 31.1 Sand Saves: 46.7%

European Tour titles: 1

Oliver Wilson OLIVER Wilson secured his maiden European Tour win in his 228th event at this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship as he triumphed by a single shot over Richie Ramsay, Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy. The Englishman, who played at the event as a tournament invite, had previously finished runner-up a record nine times on The European Tour without bagging a win. Wilson started the week ranked 252nd in The Race to Dubai and 792nd in the world ranking but after his long-awaited win he leapfrogged to 39th in The Race to Dubai and to156th in the world. He represented Europe in The 2008 Ryder Cup but lost his Tour card at the end of the 2012 season. However, his memorable win at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship earned him his European Tour membership through until the end of 2016.

DATE OF BIRTH: September 14, 1980 BIRTHPLACE: Mansfield, England HEIGHT: 6’

David Howell

DATE OF BIRTH: June 23, 1975 BIRTHPLACE: Swindon, Wiltshire, England HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 274 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.9% Greens in Regulation: 66.4% Putts per round: 28.9 Sand Saves: 61.5%

European Tour titles: 5

A FLAWLESS final round of 63 wasn’t enough for David Howell to win this year’s 71° OPEN D’ITALIA Presented by DAMIANI as he finished alone in second place, losing out to Hennie Otto by two strokes. Howell won the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, his fifth European Tour title, in a play-off against Peter Uihlein, to secure his debut here at last year’s DP Tour World Tour Championship, Dubai – a place he calls home as a former resident and now as a visitor for a good part of the season. Howell’s career peaked in 2006 when, after he won the HSBC Champions Tournament in China, beating Tiger Woods in the process, he became the first Englishman since Sir Nick Faldo in 1989 to win the BMW PGA Championship. Howell’s maiden win on Tour came at the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic.

Darren Fichardt

DATE OF BIRTH: May 13, 1975 BIRTHPLACE: Pretoria, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 9”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 287.7 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.4% Greens in Regulation: 64.1% Putts per round: 28.4 Sand Saves: 76.7%

European Tour titles: 4

A MEMBER of The European Tour since, 2001, Darren Fichardt won the last of his four European Tour titles in 2013 at the Africa Open where he defeated Grégory Bourdy and Jaco Van Zyl by two strokes. The South African has had four top tens so far this year, including a tie for fifth in the defence of his Africa Open title. After winning his maiden title at the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in 2001 and then his second at the 2003 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Doha Golf Club, Fichardt ended a nine year title drought on the European Tour in 2012 by winning the Saint-Omer Open by three strokes from Gary Lockerbie. Before joining The European Tour, Fichardt played on the Sunshine Tour and won the Order of Merit for the 1999-2000 season.

PLAYER PROFILES

Thomas Aiken THOMAS Aiken secured his third win on The European Tour with victory in this year’s Africa Open where he defeated England’s Oliver Fisher in play-off. In addition to the win, he has notched up four top ten results this season, including a tie for fifth place at the Joburg Masters and at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. After earning his European Tour playing card through Qualifying School in 2007, the South African recorded his maiden win at the 2011 Open de España where he won by two strokes from Anders Hansen. Aiken would dedicate the win to Seve Ballesteros, who died on the weekend of the tournament. Aiken went on to pick up his second win in 2013 at the Avantha Masters in India.

DATE OF BIRTH: July 16, 1983 BIRTHPLACE: Johannesburg, South Africa HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 290.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 72,7% Greens in Regulation: 76.2% Putts per round: 30.5 Sand Saves: 56.7%

European Tour titles: 3

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 290.4 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.9% Greens in Regulation: 73.3% Putts per round: 30.1 Sand Saves: 58.5%

European Tour titles: 5

Michael Hoey THE last of Michael Hoey’s five wins on The European Tour came last year at the M2M Russian Open where he defeated Alexandre Kaleka and Matthew Nixon by four shots in Moscow. So far this year the Northern Irishman has managed six top ten finishes, including joint runner-up to Ross Fisher at the Tshwane Open and seventh at the Alstom Open de France. After securing his maiden win at the 2009 Estoril Open de Portugal, Hoey enjoyed the most memorable season of his career in 2011, winning the Madeira Islands Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship en-route to finishing a career-best 25th in The Race to Dubai. He carried on his good form into the next season, claiming victory in the 2012 Trophée Hassan II in Morocco by three shots over Damien McGrane.

DATE OF BIRTH: February 13, 1979 BIRTHPLACE: Ballymoney, Northern Ireland HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

Oliver Fisher

DATE OF BIRTH: September 13, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Chingford, England HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 292 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.1% Greens in Regulation: 69.9% Putts per round: 29.9 Sand Saves: 52.2%

European Tour titles: 1

OLIVER Fisher secured his maiden win on The European Tour at the 2011 Czech Open where he defeated Mikael Lundberg by two shots. The win earned him a two year exemption to play on The Tour. His five top ten finishes this season include his runner-up result at the Africa Open where he lost to Thomas Aiken in a play-off. It was the second time in his European Tour career that he had come out second best in extra time after losing out to Thomas Levet in the 2008 MAPFRE Open de Andalucia As a youngster Fisher won the Sir Nick Faldo’s Junior Series in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and made history at the Chicago Golf Club in 2005 when, at the age of 16 years and 334 days, he became the youngest player to ever compete in the Walker Cup.

57 David Lipsky

DATE OF BIRTH: July 14, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles, United States HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 291.2 yards Driving Accuracy: 60.8% Greens in Regulation: 68.4% Putts per round: : 28.9 Sand Saves: 50%

European Tour titles: 1

David Lipsky wrapped up his maiden European Tour title with a play-off victory over Englishman Graeme Storm at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland in September. The event was co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour where Lipsky has produced some impressive results this season, including a runner-up finish at The Championship in Korea – an event co-sanctioned with The European Tour. The American finished in a share of 15th at last week’s Turkish Airlines Open which saw him move into the top 60 in The Race to Dubai and he makes his DP World Tour Championship debut this week. Lipsky was introduced to the game when he was 10 and he turned professional in 2011 and the following year he won his first Asian Tour title at the Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic.

58 99

PLAYER PROFILES

Matthew Baldwin

DATE OF BIRTH: February 26, 1986 BIRTHPLACE: Lancashire, Egland HEIGHT: 5’ 11”

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 285 yards Driving Accuracy: 62.02% Greens in Regulation: 68.67 Putts per round: 29.84 Sand Saves: 51.95%

European Tour titles: 0

MATTHEW Baldwin is in the middle of his best season on Tour, having recorded four top ten finishes, including a share of seconf place at The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa and a tie for third place at the Irish Open. He earned his European Tour card for the 2012 season after finishing tenth in the 2011 Challenge Tour rankings, thanks largely to his playoff win over Julien Guerrier at the Fred Olsen Challenge de España. In his rookie season in 2012, Baldwin finished tied for fifth at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open on his way to a 72nd spot in The Race to Dubai. He also made the cut in two Majors that year, competing in the weekend at the US Open and at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St.Annes.

59 Matteo Manassero

DATE OF BIRTH: April 19, 1993 BIRTHPLACE: Negrar, Italy HEIGHT: 6’

2014 STATS Driving Distance: 275.31 yards Driving Accuracy: 59.73% Greens in Regulation: 66.18 Putts per round: : 29.9 Sand Saves: 70.04%

European Tour titles: 4

AT 17 years and 188 days, Matteo Manassero became the youngest player ever to win on The European Tour when he triumphed at the 2010 Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in Spain by four shots from Ignacio Garrido. By the time he was 20, Manassero had secured his fourth and biggest European Tour title when he won last year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in a three-way play-off with Simon Khan and Marc Warren. In between those two landmarks, the Italian recorded wins at the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2011 and the Barclays Singapore Open a year later. His best finish this year has been a tie for fourth at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Playing in his second Seve Trophy last year, Manassero claimed 2½ points for Continental Europe to help them win the biennial contest for the first time in 13 years.

101

Wayne Johnson Director of Instruction, European Tour Performance Institute The Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates is a unique venue and a fitting course for The European Tour’s season-ending Grand Final, the DP World Tour Championship. The course has a distinctive appearance with its white bunkers alongside the wood bark wasteland, making it aesthetically one of the most beautiful courses in the region. The course has hosted several successful tournaments over the past few years. The inaugural DP World Tour Championship was played on the Earth course and it has been home to the Championship for the last six years. The course definitely favours the long hitters and being able to flight your approach shots high, certainly helps with the elevated greens. It’s a worldclass venue for a world-class event.

WAYNE JOHNSON’S qualifications and coaching expertise are unquestionable, having worked at the highest level as a golf teacher and coach. He spent four years as Director of Instruction for Butch Harmon in the USA, Bahamas and Macau, working with the likes of Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Mark Calcavecchia, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and José Maria Olazábal. Wayne first came to Dubai in 2002 and was responsible for the creation of the Academy by Troon Golf at The Address Montgomerie Dubai. Wayne has also served as Director of Golf at Pinheros Altos Campo de Golfe, Quinta do Lago and Monte Rei golf course, Algarve, Portugal. Wayne held the National Coaching role for the UAE golf team and has written numerous instructional articles for leading golf magazines.

HOLE GUIDE BY WAYNE JOHNSON HOLE GRAPHICS COURTESY OF 3D EAGLE VIEW

1 PAR 4

454 YARDS “From the elevated tee on the opening hole of the Earth course you get a great view of the type of challenges which you will face throughout the round. Large Mackenzie-esque bunkers dominate the landscape. Play well down the right hand side to avoid being caught out by the fairway cross bunker. The hole slopes from left to right and will leave you with a slight ball-below-your-feet lie. Aim for the left hand side of this large opening green to play away from the front bunkers.”

2 PAR 5

583 YARDS “The long par 5 second is a great hole, which invites you to be aggressive early on in the round and get your score into red numbers. Take driver from the tee over the right hand fairway bunker, that allows the ball to kick forward and run downhill, shortening the hole and giving you a great opportunity to play a fairway metal second shot into the green. This is an early birdie/ eagle chance and a great confidence-builder for the rest of the round.”

103

HOLE GUIDE BY WAYNE JOHNSON

3 PAR 4

452 YARDS “The third hole sweeps gently from right to left with a strategically-placed fairway bunker hidden from the tee. A 3-wood drive aimed down the centre of the fairway will avoid the bunker and create the best position to play a medium iron second shot into the green.”

4 PAR 3

245 YARDS “The long, downhill par 3 fourth demands a well struck long iron or fairway metal. Aim for the centre right of the green and avoid being fooled into taking dead aim at any pin position on the left hand side. The large deep-faced bunkers guarding this green make a sand save recovery shot extremely difficult. Aim for the fat part of the green – a two putt par will be enough reward on this hole!”

GRAPHICS COURTESY OF 3D EAGLE VIEW

5 PAR 4

407 YARDS “Another “smart play” tee shot with the hole climbing upwards towards an elevated green, make sure to avoid driving too far and catching the central fairway bunker, the hole is not too long so a fairway metal from the tee will leave a medium to short iron approach; play a little extra club for your second shot to carry the ball well onto the green and avoid being caught out by the greenside bunkers.”

6 PAR 3

186 YARDS “As water dominates this hole, a well-played long iron shot is the key to maintaining momentum with your score. The green falls away at the back so don’t be too aggressive with club selection. Make sure to play the yardage for the front third of the green and be mindful of the swirling winds which can catch out an errant shot.”

105

HOLE GUIDE BY WAYNE JOHNSON

7 PAR 5

572 YARDS “A long, uphill par 5 with fairway bunkering left and right from the tee. Negotiate the drive well and you have the opportunity to attack the green with a long second-shot fairway wood, or you can take a more conservative route to play short of the frontal bunkers with a long iron and leave a wedge shot approach. The front part of the green is stepped lower and can often fool you into playing too-little club for your third shot.”

8 PAR 4

461 YARDS “A sweeping dogleg left hole with bunkering down the left hand side which will catch a drive struck on too aggressive a line. Take aim from the tee down the right hand side. The bunkers are a long way down on this line and will leave you with a great angle into this green from the more generous side of the fairway. A long iron second shot will need to be well struck to reach this tiered green. There are no bunkers to catch you out, however. With the green heavily contoured, a recovery shot third will need all of your imagination and skill to save par.”

GRAPHICS COURTESY OF 3D EAGLE VIEW

9 PAR 4 499 YARDS “A very long, uphill par 4 which is the most demanding hole on the front nine. Driver from the tee is essential in order to give yourself an opportunity to play into this long narrow green, with severe run off areas on the left and greenside bunkers on the right. An accurate second shot aimed at the open front portion of the green will set you up for a well-deserved par.”

10 PAR 4

437 YARDS “The back nine starts off with a more forgiving hole. You can take three wood from the tee as the hole is not too long, which will leave a medium iron approach into this slightly elevated green. Bunkers guard the front left and right hand sides of this hole. The green is deep, so play a shot which will take the bunkering out of the equation.”

107

HOLE GUIDE BY WAYNE JOHNSON

11 PAR 4

401 YARDS

“A raised tee shot builds confidence as you play down this sweeping right-to-left hole. The fairway falls downhill to the green and with length not being too much of a problem to negotiate, this hole is a birdie opportunity there for the taking.”

12 PAR 4

476 YARDS

“A longer, uphill par 4 maintains the challenge of the Earth course early into the back nine. The hole requires two well struck shots to reach the green. Bunkering front left and right will catch a miss-timed shot, so make sure to take plenty of club for your second shot and carry the ball deep into this long, narrow green.”

108

GRAPHICS COURTESY OF 3D EAGLE VIEW

13 PAR 3

204 YARDS “A beautiful-looking uphill par 3 hole, guarded by a deep bunker on the left and right hand side of the green which will swallow up errant shots. The green becomes narrower the deeper it goes, so playing to the wider more forgiving front half will be the best play.”

14 PAR 5

626 YARDS “Extremely long par 5 from the elevated Championship tee. A great drive from one of the longer players will certainly give them an outside chance of reaching the green in two. However, with water running along the right hand edge of the fairway for the last 150 yards, any approach shot that wanders a little right will catch the lake and cost a bogey. So play smart. It’s a three shot hole to the green, which will often create a 100 yard pitch shot third and a chance to make a birdie not bogey – or a certain par.”

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HOLE GUIDE BY WAYNE JOHNSON

THE FINAL FOUR! The final four holes of the Earth course make for some thrills and spills as The European Tour’s elite vie for golf’s ultimate prize – the DP World Tour Championship trophy. Affectionately christened the ‘green mile’ by course designer Greg Norman, the final four holes prove the ultimate challenge with some dramatic twists and turns on this 1,703 yard closing stretch of holes.

15 PAR 4

371 YARDS “From the tee it is difficult to get a good perspective of the landing area on this short par 4 as there are several slopes, undulations and pot bunkers waiting to catch a poorly thought-out tee shot. With several tee box options The European Tour will often move the tee forward on a couple of days to give the players the opportunity to attack the green with their drives, thus creating a “must make” birdie if you are going to give yourself a chance to be in the mix with an opportunity to win on Sunday.”

16 PAR 4

486 YARDS “The 486 yard par 4 16th is one of several demanding finishing holes, proving a real challenge for the professionals as they reach the business end of the tournament. A well struck tee shot safely negotiating the fairway bunkers will leave a second shot to be played from a hanging lie, as the natural contours of the fairway move from left to right and fall steeply away. The Sunday pin position for the DP World Tour Championship will inevitably be positioned on the far right hand side of this undulating Mackenzie green, bringing the lake into play with any miss-timed approach shots. A potentially destructive bogey at this stage of the Championship.”

GRAPHICS COURTESY OF 3D EAGLE VIEW

17 PAR 3

195 YARDS “The 17th will play quite differently for the late morning starters with the Arabian Gulf breeze picking up throughout the afternoon. With swirling gusts and some tricky swales around the green, players will be looking to punch the ball low towards the hole, controlling the ball flight in the breeze. The players will need to be pin-point accurate to set up a birdie chance on this signature hole.”

18 PAR 5

620 YARDS “With the 620 yards par 5 18th being out of reach in two for even the longest hitters on The European Tour, controlling your pitch shot becomes the key to setting up a birdie chance on this closing hole. At last year’s event the players encountered all sorts of problems with this mammoth finishing hole, the lay-up second shot proving particularly difficult with the guys unsure as to which line and distance to take. Don’t be surprised to see the tees moved forward, enticing the players to go for the green in two, creating a dramatic finish to the final day’s play. This creates a great risk/reward closing hole for the longer drivers. When the tees are forward the green is within range in two shots as we saw in 2013, when Henrik Stenson played the shot of the year with a 3-wood to within a few inches from the pin to set up an amazing eagle and clinch the DP World Tour Championship title.”

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZEFUND

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

$ 1,333,300

21 $ 92,800

41 $ 50,400

$ 888,900

22 $ 90,400

42 $ 48,800

Host Venue – Jumeirah Golf Estates.

$ 520,000

23 $ 88,000

43 $ 47,200

$ 400,000

24 $ 85,600

44 $ 45,600

$ 320,000

25 $ 83,200

45 $ 44,000

$ 260,200

26 $ 80,800

46 $ 42,400

$ 232,000

27 $ 78,400

47 $ 40,800

$ 216,000

28 $ 76,000

48 $ 39,200

$ 200,000

29 $ 73,600

49 $ 37,600

10 $ 184,000

30 $ 71,200

50 $ 36,000

11 $ 168,000

31 $ 68,800

51 $ 34,400

12 $ 160,000

32 $ 66,400

52 $ 32,800

13 $ 152,000

33 $ 64,000

53 $ 31,200

14 $ 144,000

34 $ 61,600

54 $ 29,600

15 $ 136,000

35 $ 60,000

55 $ 28,000

16 $ 128,000

36 $ 58,400

56 $ 26,400

17 $ 120,000

37 $ 56,800

57 $ 24,800

18 $ 112,000

38 $ 55,200

58 $ 24,000

19 $ 104,000

39 $ 53,600

59 $ 23,200

20 $ 96,000

40 $ 52,000

60 $ 22,400

European Tour – Tour Executives, Tour Operations, Guest Referees and Championship Management. Media – The European Tour Media Department and members of the media and television. Official Starter – Ivor Robson, courtesy of Rolex. Volunteer Marshals – Chief Marshal Jenni Hoskins and her team of willing volunteers from local golf clubs as well as overseas supporters. Scoring service – The Scoreboard Team and students from GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai, under the leadership of Andrew Morley.

THE ORGANISERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK: Centre of Ambulance Services – Government of Dubai. Dubai Calendar. Dubai Civil Defence. Dubai Health Authority – Government of Dubai. Dubai Police. Dubai Sports Council. Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). Environmental Health and Safety – Trakhees. Immigration Office. Modern Pharmaceutical Company. Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) – Government of Dubai.

Total: US$ 8,000,000 RACE TO DUBAI BONUS POOL 1 1,250,000 2 800,000 3 530,000 4 400,000 5 350,000

6 300,000 7 250,000 8 200,000 9 170,000 10 150,000

11 140,000 12 130,000 13 120,000 14 110,000 15 100,000

Total: US$ 5,000,000