The UAE is now a clear global leader when it comes to golf and is one of the world’s top go-to destinations for professionals, players and fans of the game.
But this is a nation that never rests on its laurels when it comes to sport, as recent events such as the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, Fina World Swimming Championships, Indian Premier League, ICC T20 Cricket World Cup and now the 30th anniversary Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have proved.
But something occurred over this period that stands head and shoulders above even these sporting successes — the groundbreaking DP World Tour ‘UAE Swing’.
Golf fans from across the UAE, Middle East and beyond were treated to an experience like no other as the DP World Tour hosted four events in four short weeks in such close proximity on these shores — something that had never before been accomplished across anywhere in the world.
The traditional season opener in the UAE capital got things under way back in January as fans flocked to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship’s new home on a windswept and chilly Yas Links, where Belgium’s Thomas Pieters prevailed over four tough days as many top golfers fell victim to the challenging links course — with defending champion Tyrrell Hatton saying he wanted to “blow the 18th hole to oblivion” after a particularly nasty quadruple bogey in the third round.
Conditions improved of the second consecutive $8 million DP World Tour Rolex Series event and packed galleries witnessed one of the most thrilling finishes in the UAE at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland surged up to No. 3 in the world after taking advantage of Rory McIlroy’s visit to the water on the final hole, with the Northern Irishman having to settle for third and watch on as Hovland defeated veteran Richard Bland in a play-off.
Dubai also witnessed a special moment as fans witnessed the coming of age of Dubai amateur Josh Hill, who made Hus second consecutive cut following on from Abu Dhabi, while plenty of top names were packing their bags early having failed to make it to the weekend. Hill, 17, also had to battle personal heartache as news emerged of the death of close friend and fellow golfer Viggo Sorensen during the event. Hill’s strength of character really shone through during the fortnight and he has shown he can be more than a match for the best.
February arrived and it was Ras Al Khaimah’s turn to take the spotlight with the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Championship — a $2 million DP World Tour debutant, and it certainly lived up to the standards set by its big brothers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Nicolai Hojgaard, one half of the famous Danish twin brothers on tour alongside Rasmus, took the glory with a comfortable four-stroke victory at the impressive Al Hamra Golf Club.
But RAK was not done there, due to the postponement of the Qatar xxx, Al Hamra stepped in once more at short notice to host the first ever Ras Al Khaimah Classic, with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox ensuring the UAE Swing closed with a bang thanks to a dominant wire-to-wire five-stroke victory last week.
With two more season-ending events to come in Dubai — the Viya Dubai Championship and the DSP World Tour Championships — golf fans can rest assured that they will have plenty more to cheer on this year and many more years to come in the UAE.
