Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn and Pádraig Harrington are the latest DP World Tour stars confirmed for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, which takes place at Al Hamra Golf Club later this month from January 25-28.
Three-time Major Champion Harrington, who Captained Europe in 2021, will be making his third appearance in the tournament, with 2018 Ryder Cup winning Captain Bjørn also returning to the event for a second time.
The pair will be joined by four-time DP World Tour winner Rafa Cabrera Bello, who also represented Europe at the Ryder Cup in 2016, and Tom McKibbin, who claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.
Bjørn has tasted success in the United Arab Emirates in the past, winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2001, while Harrington will be bidding for his first success in the Middle East with the aim of a record-breaking victory.
“The Middle East is a part of the world I have always enjoyed playing golf in,” said Bjørn. “The DP World Tour has played an important part in the growth of golf in the region and it’s encouraging to see that Ras Al Khaimah Championship has remained on our schedule over the last three years.
“Al Hamra Golf Club is an excellent venue and we’re excited to go back there later this month.”
The tournament will be the third consecutive event played in the United Arab Emirates, following on from the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic as part of the International Swing on the new-look 2024 Race to Dubai.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the United Arab Emirates and Al Hamra Golf Club in particular,” added Harrington. “One of my goals is to break Miguel Angel Jiménez’s record in becoming the oldest winner in DP World Tour history and I feel as though the course in Ras Al Khaimah is a venue where that could be possible.
“Anything can happen in any given week, but my game feels in great shape and I’m looking forward to competing in the Middle East again.”
Also teeing it up in Ras Al Khaimah are defending champion Daniel Gavins, the Danish pair of Rasmus Højgaard and Thorbjørn Olesen and Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal – who have amassed a combined 22 victories on the DP World Tour.
Additionally, rising stars Dan Bradbury, Alex Fitzpatrick, Yannik Paul and Jordan Smith will also be competing at Al Hamra in the highly-anticipated event.
Fans can enjoy free general admission to the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and can register for tickets here. Spectators can also upgrade their experience with tickets available for the Championship Chalet, which overlooks the 18th green, from AED 787.50, or the Clubhouse Terrace, from AED 160.
There is also the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive experience and purchase a place to play alongside DP World Tour professionals in the Pro-Am on Wednesday January 24. AED 9,450, or a team of three can be purchased from AED 22,625. Click here to view Pro-Am and Premium Experience options.
