Stenson will tee it up for the 20th successive time at Emirates Golf Club in what will be the 32nd edition of the Desert Classic from Jan. 28-31.

“It’s amazing to think that the UAE is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and that I lived in Dubai for almost 10 of those years,” said Stenson. “It’s always great to be back in Dubai. Emma and I got married here in 2006, and it still feels very much like home.

“I have had a lot of success in the region – I’ve won the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club, the DP World Tour Championship and also in Qatar, so I feel comfortable out here.”

RELATED: Ten Major champs poised for OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic

The 44-year-old has a stellar record in the Desert Classic, winning the 2007 edition with a birdie on the 18th to edge out Ernie Els by one stroke with Tiger Woods third, in addition to seven other top-ten finishes.

“I think I have probably played more rounds on the Majlis than anywhere else on Tour, so in terms of tournament preparation, I will base it mostly on getting used to the conditions that the course is in, because I know the layout better than most,” said Stenson.

“The Majlis is one of those courses that I never get bored of and always enjoy playing. Hopefully my knowledge of it will turn into an advantage this year.”

Joining Stenson is a raft of past winners also returning to the event, including Miguel Angel Jimenez, Haotong Li, Stephen Gallacher, Thomas Bjørn, Alvaro Quiros, recent major champions and former winners Sergio Garcia and Danny Willett, as well as three-time winner Ernie Els and defending champion Lucas Herbert.

Jimenez made his first outing at Emirates Golf Club in 1990 and will be teeing it up at the event for the 27th time, with his victory coming in 2010 after a play-off win over Lee Westwood.

Miguel Angel Jimenez

The Spaniard made four Ryder Cup appearances in his career and was twice a Vice Captain in 2012 and 2014. He holds many European Tour records, including the highest number of starts (710) and he has made 10 holes-in-one on Tour, breaking the record previously held by Colin Montgomerie.

“I love coming back to Dubai every year and this tournament has a special place in my heart,” said Jimenez. “It has always been a great place to play golf and as the first event the European Tour held in the region, the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic is one of the most important to the players.”

Scotland’s Gallacher remains the only player in tournament history to have won the title in back-to-back years have triumphed in 2013-14.

Stephen Gallacher

“I love coming back to this event because the Majlis is a course I know I can play well on,” said Gallacher. “Any time you come to a venue where you have won before gives you confidence – and that, in addition to the slight breeze you often get and the humidity, makes me feel comfortable.

“Winning the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic twice in a row is certainly one of the highlights of my career so far and I’d love to add a third.”

RELATED: Wilco Nienaber is bringing his ‘nuke’ powered driver to the Desert Classic

China’s Li, who became the first Asian player to win the title in 2018 with a one-stroke win over Rory McIlroy, is also keen to immerse himself in the familiar sights and sounds of Emirates Golf Club once again.

“This is a special event on the European Tour and one I always look forward to playing,” said Li. “I have great memories of winning three years ago and it would be nice to make more memories this year.”

Haotong Li

An elite field has been assembled at Emirates Golf Club including Major champions Justin Rose, Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer and Padraig Harrington, and countless Ryder Cup stars including Lee Westwood, Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Casey, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Matthew Fitzpatrick, all set to vie for the Dallah trophy.

In what is the 32nd staging of the tournament, attendance will be for invited guests only, but the action will be beamed to a worldwide audience on mainstream broadcast sports networks, and highlights and exclusive content will be shared on the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic social media channels.

RELATED: Paul Casey set for Majlis return as second wave of Desert Classic player confirmations unveiled

The post Henrik Stenson headlines past winners set to help mark UAE Golden Jubilee at Desert Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
Eddie Pepperell has pole-position, Bryson DeChambeau second-place and proven pedigree, Tommy Fleetwood promising momentum.

The stage is set then for an absorbing moving day at the 31^st OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, one that will also include Lee Westwood after the freshly-minted Abu Dhabi champion courageously snuck into the weekend on the +2 cutline.

An early 67 on Friday, to go with his opening 69, saw Pepperell set the clubhouse target at -8 by lunchtime of the second round and hold onto it all the way to dusk at Emirates Golf Club.

DeChambeau improved a Thursday 70 by three strokes but left a lot of putts out on the Majlis in his 67 as he chased down Pepperell. The 26-year-old American’s title defence is still very much on target though as he nestled into a three-way share of second with car crash escapee Dean Burmester (68) and Swedish half centurion Robert Karlsson (68), a shot adrift of Englishman Pepperell.

Fleetwood shifted gear a day ahead of the clichéd moving day, recovering from a three-over 75 with a flurry of eight birdies in a Friday low 65. Just four adrift of Pepperell, Fleetwood has raced from outside the cutline into genuine contention in a share of 11^th place.

After starting the day six over, Westwood’s fightback was equally gritty, a birdie-birdie finish, the last with a brilliant 3-wood and two putts at 18, capping a colourful two-bogey 68. Danny Willett also mustered a final hole birdie to squeeze in on the bubble but five other former champions – Alvaro Quiros, Rafa Cabrera Bello, David Howell (all +5), Stephen Gallacher (+6) and Haotong Li (+10) weren’t so lucky.

Major champion Graeme McDowell (+3) also has the weekend off, along with MENA Tour phenom Josh Hill (+10) after a pair of 77s.

The post Eddie Pepperell fires 67 for halfway lead in Dubai; DeChambeau and fightback Fleetwood lurk appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
You’re not alone if you’re struggling to comprehend Bryson DeChambeau’s golfing witchcraft at the 30^th Omega Dubai Desert Classic this week. It seems we’re not going to get Alvaro Quiros’ far less scientific secrets either.

The 2011 champion overcame a bogey start to pour in nine birdies in a second round 64 on Friday and roar into contention at the $3.25 million European Tour event at -11, one off Lucas Herbert and Bryson DeChambeau’s halfway lead.

Quiros has enlisted the expertise of José María Olazábal to help him with a putter that finally started to cooperate in Abu Dhabi last week where the big-hitting, 6ft 3in Spaniard claimed a share of 65^th place.

Whatever the two-time Masters champion has found for Quiros is clearly working as the 36-year-old closes in on what would be a seventh European Tour title but his first since the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily back in May 2017.

“I’ve been working a lot with José María, with Ollie, and with my coach, José Rivero. It looks like it’s paying off,” said Quiros who rates Rivero, a former Ryder Cupper and four-time champion on tour, as one of the biggest influences on his career.

“Last week I was putting nicely, too, so it’s probably, even with these grainy greens, it’s key.”

Sounds intriguing. Could you possibly elaborate as we all need help with the flat stick from time-to-time?

“That’s a secret that I’m going to keep for myself, sorry.”

No apology necessary, Alvaro – we probably wouldn’t share the secret sauce with our peers either. Maybe you could give us your theory on why so many great rounds begin with a lousy start?

“You can have some accidents in these bunkers. The sand is very heavy, and I find the bunker from the tee shot. The ball was completely mud, so it was unfortunately an unlucky lie. And from there on, I’ve been playing nicely, holing putts, obviously.

“I’ve also been very lucky during the round with nice lies even when I was missing the fairways. So that’s what you need obviously on this kind of golf course when you shoot nine birdies.”

Quiros is no stranger to going deep into the red at the Desert Classic and often spectacularly so. When he succeeded Miguel Angel Jiménez as champion eight editions ago, Quiros overcame a lead relinquishing triple bogey seven on the 8^th with a “three quarter wedge” acing the 161-yard 11^th hole en-route to a single stroke victory over South Africa’s James Kingston and Dane Anders Hansen.

Quiros thus became just the third player to win a European Tour event and record a hole-in-one in the final round. He’s also one of four players with two Desert Classic aces, joining Jiménez, Argentine José Coceres and Scot Stephen Gallacher in that rarified club after holing out on the 4^th hole in the final round of the 2015 Classic where he finished T-20.

“To be honest, I still remember every single time that I tee off from that tee, “ Quiros said of his 2011 ace on 11 before adding an only half-joking caveat to one of the happiest days of his life.

“But I want to make the hole-in-one from the 7th or 15 because either one wins a prize. The two times that I make a hole-in-one here, no prize, so I’m looking for the first one with a car or a nice watch.”

Swede Kristoffer Broberg already has the Omega timepiece on his wrist after holing a seven iron on the 7^th in Thursday’s opening round. Fortunately the keys to a €140,000 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe are still available for a perfect shot on the 15^th.

There have only been three aces on the last of the Majlis’ four par-3s, the last of them from two-time champion Gallacher in 2012. So how about it, Alvaro, another final round ace, perhaps even on the way to a second Dallah trophy?

“Oh, that would be the top of the cake.”

The post Alvaro on a roll at the Desert Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Welcome to another edition of The Grind, where we are happy to be back to rearranging our weekend schedules around Tiger Woods’ tee times. My wife was a good sport, agreeing to go on our Costco lunch run earlier than usual. But once I got home, I barely moved from my couch during the rest of daylight hours on Saturday and Sunday. Well, other than an emergency chips and guac run when Tiger made the turn during the final round.

Watching Woods strutting around in a red shirt and stalking the leaders sure is fun, but it also causes me to stress eat. A LOT. You should see the damage I did to a Costco bag of Hershey Kisses. . . Anyway, Saturdays and Sundays are for watching Tiger Woods again. Sorry, honey.

WE’RE BUYING
Justin Thomas: Tiger Woods didn’t win at PGA National, but one of his proteges did. Again. For a second time this season, Thomas won in a playoff, joining Tiger and Jordan Spieth as the only players to get to eight wins before turning 25 in the past 30 years. He also jumped (his good buddy) Jordan in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.

Sam Greenwood

Tiger Woods: We could point to a slew of stats to show the progress Tiger made — 1st in proximity to the hole, 15th in strokes gained approach-to-the-green, a 128.2 MPH(!!!) swing speed on Saturday — but the most encouraging thing was the way he felt as he climbed the leader board. As he said the week before, Woods is focused on “winning time,” talking about things like “posting a number” on Sunday and talking less to his friends on tour.

David Cannon

Thomas said Woods usually texts him with words of encouragement when he’s in the hunt entering the final day, but with Woods in contention? “Crickets.” Tiger Woods is back, people. At least to being the game’s ultimate competitor.

Jessica Korda: While everyone was focused on Tiger Woods’ latest comeback, Korda made a remarkable return from an off-season jaw surgery that makes my recent root canal look like a routine checkup. Korda has 27 screws in her face and has been battling severe headaches, but she managed a four-shot victory at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in her first start back on tour. This could be just the start of a monster season for the 24-year-old.

Eddie Pepperell: And all this time, I just thought this guy was a great follow on Twitter. Turns out, he’s a heckuva golfer as well. Of course, I kid, but it took Pepperell 129 European Tour starts to finally get his maiden victory at the Qatar Masters. And his Monday blog post might have been even better than his Sunday performance on the course. Here’s how he signed off:

There’s lots more I could say I guess, but that can wait. Above all though, I’m just so happy for my family and girlfriend, all of whom deserve the credit for constantly reminding me who I am. Christ, if I ever get above my station, my sister will put me right. She has a knack for four letter curses and pinpoint truth telling.

Time for a nice dog walk.

We’re rooting for more wins — and more posts — from Eddie.

WE’RE SELLING
18-hole playoffs: Good riddance to this archaic method of settling a golf tournament. The USGA is doing the right thing by switching to a (more) sudden-death method, although the two-hole choice screams of golf’s governing body just trying to be different than the other three men’s majors. In any event, this will go down as the last 18-hole playoff (actually 19) in U.S. Open history:

Bloomberg

And I’m totally good with that.

Larry Fitzgerald’s handicap: On the flip side, I’m not totally good with this. Look, I gave Larry the benefit of the doubt after his dominant Pebble Beach Pro-Am performance as a 10.6 handicap. But somehow, the NFL star’s handicap has gone up in the two weeks since to an 11.3 index. And many, including Peter Kessler, are labeling Larry a sandbagger:

???????????
(11 emojis for Larry Fitzgerald’s 11.3 handicap index) pic.twitter.com/fOOxOcPqHq

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) February 26, 2018

Friend of mine played with him several rounds. Never over 75. How can this not have been vetted? He’s not the first sandbagger who’s won the pro am in recent years. A lot of ams like Jack Lemmon worked so hard just to make the cut. Not cool.

— Peter Kessler (@peterkessler) February 27, 2018

I don’t think Larry is exaggerating his scores (maybe he just stepped back to the tips), but I also know that after you win a celebrity tournament by eight shots and people start questioning your handicap, you should do everything in your power to make sure it goes down. So I’m throwing a yellow flag here for Fitzgerald getting excessive strokes.

Honda Heckler: Let me do a quick top-five ranking of those at fault in the heckler situation at the Honda Classic on Sunday, in order from most to blame to least:

The heckler.

The heckler.

The heckler.

Tournament marshals.

Justin Thomas.

Was JT a bit too thin-skinned? Sure. But this bozo sounds like he was looking to get ejected. And why did Thomas have to step in and take care of business of himself? He’s got enough to deal with trying to win. In any event, how much funnier would this have been if it was Rickie Fowler heckling Thomas? Sorry, sorry, not endorsing hecklers at golf tournaments. No matter who they are. But seriously, that would have been funny.

ON TAP
The PGA Tour heads south of the border for the WGC-Mexico Championship, AKA that WGC event they used to play at Doral. It’s also where Justin Thomas one-hopped a hole-in-one from 232 yards last year, but Dustin Johnson still won, because Dustin Johnson was winning every tournament at this time last year.

Random tournament fact: With only 65 players teeing it up in the no-cut event, last place pays out $50Gs. Not too shabby.

RANDOM PROP BETS OF THE WEEK

— Justin Thomas will one-hop another ace from 232 yards: 1 MILLION-to-1 odds

— Tiger Woods’ updated odds to win the 2018 Masters: 16-to-1 odds

— I’m kicking myself for not betting on Tiger when he was 25-to-1 odds: LOCK

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Now who could all these people be taking a picture of? #HondaClassic pic.twitter.com/vzabkwCZwQ

— Dave Shedloski (@DaveShedloski) February 25, 2018

The weekends are officially TIGER TIME again, folks!

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Last week, Justin Thomas uttered the words “Talk dirty to me” to his golf ball. This week, Alvaro Quiros talked dirty to his in a different way:

“That was a disgraceful shot. I hate it with all of my heart.” ?

Álvaro Quirós did not like his approach to 9 one bit… pic.twitter.com/WiZ8CkmHgp

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 23, 2018

And how about this reaction to Eddie Pepperell’s win that was filmed by his older brother:

????@PepperellEddie pic.twitter.com/TNcG7vehuj

— Joe Pepperell (@joepep_pga) February 25, 2018

So cool.

VIRAL VIDEO OF THE WEEK (TRICK SHOT DIVISION)

We recently came across an Instagram user who goes around catching marshmallows in his mouth in a variety of locations while wearing a “FAT & PROUD” T-shirt. Here’s his golf-related trick “shot”:

Par 4 hole in one. @billy_gregg91 #pga #tigerwoods #golf#justinthomas#jordanspieth #jasonday #johndaily #sergiogarcia#bubbawatson @scheetz_25 ????

A post shared by Mike Regan (@mikeregan11) on Dec 19, 2017 at 8:52am PST

Well done, sir. And after this weekend’s eating performance, can you send me one of those shirts in a medium? On second thought, make it a large.

THIS WEEK IN CELEBRITIES PLAYING GOLF (SORT OF)

Check out the contract Denver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman signed, promising his fiance he won’t buy another new driver for five years:

Compromise is the bedrock of every healthy relationship, as Jeff Heuerman recently found out. pic.twitter.com/l4HuFDJbT1

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) February 21, 2018

It looks like this poor guy is going to be giving up a lot of yards to his buddies on the course in the coming years, but that might be the least of his problems. . .

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It was a good gallery, good crowd, but it wasn’t obviously anything big. It wasn’t anything remotely close to Tiger’s. But he fully deserves that and he is the needle. He moves the needle. He’s the reason probably why the attendance this week was as high as it was, and you know, they weren’t coming out here to watch Luke List and Justin Thomas. They were coming out here to watch Tiger, so I don’t blame them. I’d go watch him, too, instead of me.” — Say what you will about having a fan ejected and blurting out a curse on the winning putt, Justin Thomas is awesome.

THIS WEEK IN TOUR PROS LIVING THE LIFE

Rory McIlroy is buying up possessions of PGA Tour pros. First, he reportedly purchased Ernie Els’ house and now he’s snagged (one of) Ian Poulter’s Ferraris:

When you see your old love in the car park… and miss it… This F12 was awesome, loved doing the Matte Grigio Silverstone paint and also on the rims, and the Matte Black roof… Interior Grey and burgundy. @rorymcilroy good to see it looking perfect… He know a good car when he sees one. ??

A post shared by Ian Poulter (@ianjamespoulter) on Feb 23, 2018 at 7:10am PST

If any tour pro is looking to sell their boat, Rory looks to be your guy.

THIS WEEK IN DUSTIN JOHNSON-PAULINA GRETZKY PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

What are the odds DJ still went with a t-shirt and jeans look for date night? We’re guessing they’re pretty good.

THIS WEEK IN AWESOME JASON DUFNER HATS

This might even top the Biggie Smalls hat Dufner donned earlier this season:

Asked Duf about his “BOSS” hat. No sponsorship deal this year so he’s wearing what he wants. This one, he grabbed from Rickie’s house last night.

“Perfect time, playing with Tiger.” pic.twitter.com/JoR2ISubgp

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) February 24, 2018

I love how he just saw a hat he liked at Rickie’s house and took it. And you know Rickie was planning on taking that to #SB2K18. Savage move, Duf.

THIS AND THAT

Daniel Berger teamed up with Tom Wall to win the gross division of the fabled Seminole Pro-Member on Monday. But seriously, did you see the field?! Berger deserves Official World Golf Ranking points for the title. . . . The USGA/R&A announced a new World Handicap System will go into effect in 2020. I’m not exactly sure how it will work, but somehow Larry Fitzgerald’s handicap will go up. . . . John Daly is once again denying the authenticity of a claret jug replica that was auctioned off as his for $66,000. As the old saying goes, Buyer Beware, especially when it comes to John Daly-related items. . . . Stance announced this sweet new pair of socks (Although, if I’m nitpicking, I’d prefer more green) that features a look back at Jack Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters win:

You know what’s more boss than wearing a “boss” hat at a golf tournament? Wearing your own commemorative socks to the tournament you owned more than anyone. Jack, please rock these at Augusta in April.

RANDOM QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Will When will Justin Thomas get to No. 1?

Will When will Tiger Woods win again?

Why are avocados so expensive?

The post Tiger Woods’ ‘message’ to Justin Thomas, the USGA’s stunning reveal, and Larry Fitzgerald’s handicap gets questioned again appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 26-year-old Frenchman, who trains out of the European Tour Performance Institute [EPTI] at JGE, got up and down on the 72nd hole at The Dutch for a closing 69 Sunday to claim his maiden European Tour title by a stroke from Canadian Austin Connelly.

Wattel, who had recorded 25 top-ten finishes in his previous 186 events without tasting victory, joins fellow Dubai-residents Alvaro Quiros (Rocco Forte Open in May), Rafa Cabrera Bello (July’s Scottish Open) and Adrian Otaegui (Paul Lawrie Match Play last month) as winners this season.

“I have been in contention before and while I had not won before I knew what I had to do,” said Wattel who had not finished better than 24th in any of his previous 20 events this season.

“I knew what I had to expect and thankfully this time it was my week. It feels amazing to win for the first time…I am so happy right now.”

Getty Images
Wattel, who trains at Dubai’s ETPI, banked €300,000 after claiming his maiden European Tour win.

The win saw Wattel go from season earnings of €183,348 to €483,348 in an instant and leap frog from 130th in the Race to Dubai standings to 55th.

It leaves him in prime position to earn one of 60 spots in the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship at his home JGE from November 16-19.

“With the Ryder Cup being played in France next year, it would be fantastic to see a Frenchman make it in to the European team,” Nick Tarratt, the Director of the European Tour International Dubai office, also noted.

“We wish Romain all the best in his quest to qualify for the season finale in November and for The Ryder Cup next year.”

Wattel started the final round in Spijk a shot adrift of Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat but birdied three of his first six holes to snare the lead.

He stayed in control until the wobble on the last when he missed the green with his approach but a delightful up-and-down got the job done.

Connelly’s runner-up finish at the KLM Open earned him a healthy tally of 200,000 points. He now leapfrogs from 123rd to 71st place in the Race to Dubai rankings and on the cusp of qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship.

Meanwhile George Coetzee and Eddie Pepperell picked up a much-needed 73,500 points each as they finished tied for third place with Wattel’s fellow Dubai resident Sebastian Heisele plus Lee Westwood, Justin Walters and Joel Salter to put themselves in a better position to break in to the top 60 in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

Coetzee moves to 64th while Pepperell is in 75th spot. Westwood, improved his rankings position one place from 26th to 25th, Heisel moves from 162nd to 131st, Walters from 146th to 122nd and Salter from 157th to 129th.

There was also movement on top of the Race to Dubai as Bernd Wiesberger’s top ten finish in the Netherlands saw him surpass Rory McIlroy for ninth spot in the rankings.

The post JGE celebrate as Dubai-resident Wattel wins KLM Open at The Dutch appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

It means the South Africa will not chase a Mother of Pearl trophy hat-trick as billed.

“You know it is a pity, I would have loved to go there,” Grace said.

“I’m going to head back, there’s a little bit more important things on the table I have to take care of. It’s something she’s planned a long time ago and this is the only dates they could have done.

“So she’s taken a lot on her table and pushed it back for me and I think it’s time I did the same for her.”

Grace’s withdrawal is a blow but a strong field has still assembled at Doha Golf Club.

After making a strong start to the season by finishing in a tie for fourth in Abu Dhabi last week, Martin Kaymer  is making his first return to Doha Golf Club since 2014, The European Tour reports.

The German made seven straight appearances at the tournament from 2008 and enjoyed his best finishes in 2012 and 2013, tying for ninth in successive years. 

Kaymer is one of four players in the field from Europe’s 2016 Ryder Cup team, along with Chris Wood, Andy Sullivan and desert specialist Rafa Cabrera Bello, while 2018 captain Thomas Bjørn also makes the short journey to Qatar from Abu Dhabi. 

Bjørn and Wood were champions in 2011 and 2013 respectively, and are joined by five other past winners: Darren Fichardt (2003), Ernie Els (2005), Alvaro Quiros (2009), Robert Karlsson (2010) and two-time winner Paul Lawrie (1999 and 2012). 

World No.10 Alex Noren, a four time winner in 2016, is out to back up his top 10 finish in Abu Dhabi last week while former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell is set to get his 2017 European Tour campaign underway. 

Photograph by Getty Images

The post No more Amazing Grace in Doha appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.