European Tour Reports

Find out about the hottest golf events taking place on a green near you! With reports on some of the most important events from the European and PGA Tours

Top golfers and icons in Dubai

Omega Dubai Desert Classic, February 9 - 12

Three of the world’s top four players will compete at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, at Emirates Golf Club from February 9 to 12. Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his first professional win in 2009; he will be joined by Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. The Omega Dubai Desert Classic also welcomes American golf icon Fred Couples: the first American to win in Dubai in 1995.

At the $2.5 million event (Emirates Golf Club in Dubai), these top players will have to find out which of them is a worthy successor to Alvaro Quiros, the winner of the 2011 edition, who beat Westwood, Kaymer and Tiger Woods on the final day.

McIlroy’s fond memories of Dubai

Rory McIlroy certainly has some fond memories of Dubai, where he won his first European Tour event in 2009. The Dubai win was the start for the Irishman’s surge to the top of the European Tour ranks. Last year he finished second in the Race to Dubai after making his Ryder Cup debut in 2010 and winning the 2011 US Open Championship. McIlroy seems fond of Dubai’s great winter climate and great golf courses, like the Emirates Golf Club’s Mahlis Course. It is his seventh appearance at the Desert Classic, the most number of times he has played anywhere. He made the cut for the first time in a European Tour event as a 17-year-old amateur in Dubai in 2007

Many Indian workers in the Emirates will be anxious to see fellow countryman Jeev Milkha Singh go for the win. The 40 year old Singh, undoubtedly one of the strongest players in Asia, seems to have fully recovered from a series of career-threatening injuries. The Indian last won a European Tour event in June 2008 and is looking for success in the Dubai event.

Majlis: top 100 course

The Majlis, the course on which the tournament is played, is named among the world's top 100 golf courses in a survey conducted by influential US-based magazine Golf Digest. The Majlis was the first all-grass course in the Gulf region.

Like with almost all great courses, the designers have put great effort into building the real climax of the round at hole 18. The signature hole offers the possibility of a great reward for those players who dare to play offensively. “With the fairway turning left 90 degrees, cutting the corner from the tee is a temptation difficult to resist. Following the second part of the fairway and curving in front of the green, a gleaming lake stands in the way of approach shots aimed towards a safe landing in full view of the clubhouse. Anything short will see your hopes sink beside several thousand fish”, the tournament guide describes the dilemma with some malicious pleasure.

The par 3 7th hole offers similar challenges. “With a gleaming lake stretching from the front edge of the tee to the green’s apron, the tee shot is a real character Builder”, the event hosts conclude.