The DP World Tour remains in the United Arab Emirates this week as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic marks the first Rolex Series event of the season.
Rory McIlroy arrives at Emirates Golf Club aiming to create history as the first four-time winner of the historic tournament, which celebrates its 35th anniversary.
The tournament was elevated to Rolex Series status in 2022 and last year saw Hero MotoCorp announced as its Title Partner.
Welcome to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of 2024 👋#DubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/cdNpxtPSzv
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 15, 2024
Here's all the important information:
When: January 18-21
Where: Majlis course, Emirates Golf Club
Defending champion: Rory McIlroy
Prize fund: USD 9,000,000
Race to Dubai Ranking Points: 8,000
Format
After last week's inaugural Dubai Invitational, which featured a pro tournament and a team competition for participating amateurs, the schedule returns to four rounds of stroke play with a cut at the halfway stage.
To view the draw, click here.
Which players are in action?
World Number Two Rory McIlroy headlines a world-class field as he returns to defend his title.
Joining the four-time Major Champion are his Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, who won his seventh DP World Tour title on Sunday, and Nicolai Højgaard.
- REPORT: Tommy Fleetwood wins Dubai Invitational in dramatic finish
- READ MORE: Rory McIlroy feeling good after Dubai near-miss
Rolex Series winner Ryan Fox, Adrian Meronk and Rasmus Højgaard, all four-time champions on the DP World Tour, are also in action as well as Team Europe Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and 2018 Open Champion Francesco Molinari.
Fellow Major winners Adam Scott and Pádraig Harrington are also teeing it up.
A host of other DP World Tour winners, including Thorbjørn Olesen, Pablo Larrazábal, Yannik Paul and Marcel Siem are in the field.
Reigning Open champion Brian Harman and fellow American PGA TOUR member Cameron Young are set for the debut at the iconic event.
To view the full entry list, click here.
What is the International Swing?
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the second of eight tournaments which comprise the second of our Global Swings, namely the International Swing, on the 2024 Race to Dubai.
Each swing has its own identity and its own champion who will each earn $200,000 from an overall $1million bonus pool. Swing champions will also qualify for each of the ‘Back 9’ events, which form the second phase of the schedule.
The leading DP World Tour member (not otherwise exempt) from the International Swing will qualify for the Genesis Scottish Open, the second Rolex Series event of the season.
Venue
The Dubai Desert Classic is once again returning to the stunning Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club.
First held in 1989, all editions have been held at Emirates Golf Club except for 1999 and 2000 when it was held at Dubai Creek Resort.
History
The event has been won by some of golf’s great names, including Major Champions Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazábal, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods and McIlroy.
Click the video below to watch final-round highlights from last year's Hero Dubai Desert Classic as McIlroy won his first Rolex Series title in dramatic fashion.
International Swing schedule
| Event | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Invitational | January 11-14 | Dubai Creek Resort |
| Hero Dubai Desert Classic | January 18-21 | Emirates Golf Club |
| Ras Al Khaimah Championship | January 25-28 | Al Hamra Golf Club |
| Bahrain Championship | February 1-4 | Royal GC |
| Commercial Bank Qatar Masters | February 8-11 | Doha GC |
| Magical Kenya Open | February 22-25 | Muthaiga Golf Club |
| SDC Championship | February 29-March 3 | St. Francis Links |
| Jonsson Workwear Open | March 7-10 | Glendower GC |
How to watch
European Tour Productions, the DP World Tour’s in-house production company, will produce and distribute live coverage of the tournament.
World Feed Transmission Times
| Date | Local time | GMT |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 18th January | 11:30-17:30 | 07:30-13:30 |
| Friday 19th January | 11:30-17:30 | 07:30-13:30 |
| Saturday 20th January | 11:00-17:30 | 07:00-13:00 |
| Sunday 21st January | 11:00-17:30 | 07:00-13:00 |
- For our full coverage plan, click here.
Feature Group transmission times
| Date | Local time | GMT |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 18th January | 08:00-13:00* | 04:00-09:00* |
| Friday 19th January | 08:00-13:00* | 04:00-09:00* |
| Saturday 20th January | 08:00-13:00* | 04:00-09:00* |
| Sunday 21st January | 08:00-13:00* | 04:00-09:00* |
* (until end of play of the second Featured Group)
Viewers can follow Feature Groups coverage on the DP World Tour’s YouTube channel.
Who is part of the commentary team?
Leading the on-site team in the United Arab Emirates are commentators Dominik Holyer and Andrew Coltart.
Joining them in the commentary box are former DP World Tour winners Ken Brown, Nicolas Colsaerts and David Howell, while there will also be on-course analysis from Wayne Riley and Inci Mehmet and in-round interviews by Tim Barter.
Commentary on the feature groups will be provided by Alison Whitaker alongside Jamie Spence, with Anthony Wall and John E Morgan offering on-course analysis.
