By Kent Gray

Tyrrell’s a treat
Given his giddy run of form over the past 16 months – victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship triumph was his fourth in 20 starts – has Tyrrell Hatton surpassed Tommy Fleetwood as Europe’s chief major champion in waiting? Perhaps. The Englishman unquestionably crept above Rory McIlroy to fifth in the OWGR. The only European above him? Jon Rahm, also the owner of four Rolex Series gold stars. You’ve got to love the ball-striking, the icy-calmness closing out events and the honest self-assessments, both during rounds and afterwards.

“Definitely pinching myself. It’s just very surreal to be that high in the world rankings. I don’t look at myself or — I don’t know how to sort of word it. I guess I’m very — yeah, I’m struggling to find the words how to put it across but I’ll just say it is very cool to be where I am at the moment.”

“Hi, I’m Tyrrell…and I’m an angry golfer”
“If you’re feeling glum, pop up a thumb”. The European Tour’s social media team always seem on point but how about the timing of having eventual champion Tyrrell Hatton front their latest ditty, #AngryGolfers? “I’m not quite sure why they chose me,” Hatton drolly told on-course commentator Tim Barter a round after previewing the soon-to-be-released viral video with a double thumbs up to mock a rare wayward drive on the National layout. Classic stuff and a fun new go-to to help us all defuse potential on course meltdowns.

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What’s the story, Rory?
Rory McIlroy, welcomed back to the UAE capital for the first time since 2018, complied one of those uniquely Rory rounds on Thursday in Abu Dhabi that makes golf look easy. But almost inevitably after the 64 – “a lovely way to start the year” – and two further mostly stress-free rounds to snare the 54-hole lead, the Northern Irishman found a way to let the title slip. Again. A fourth third placing to go with four bridesmaid finishes means the Falcon remains almost as elusive as a certain green jacket for Rors. Here’s hoping he’ll be back next January.

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What next for Abu Dhabi?
Speaking of the 17th Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, anyone else excited to see what the Desert Swing opener will be like co-sanctioned by the mighty PGA Tour? Yup, us too. Nothing’s official yet but it seems Abu Dhabi, the Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship and DP World Tour Championship at JGE will get the full U.S. treatment in 2022. McIlroy might find it even tougher to snare the fabled Falcon.

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2021 Lev-ity
How good was Alexander Levy’s reaction to his ace (a 9 iron from 177 yards) on the 15th in the third round in Abu Dhabi? It was peak 2020 (rolling into 2021) as the Frenchman looked around for affirmation from the galleries to be greeted by near silence. Damn you COVID. As Levy rolls on into 2021 behind the wheel of a new BMW X850i, here’s hoping there will be even fewer gallery restrictions next year.

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Casey can
If Abu Dhabi champion Tyrrell Hatton is Europe’s new chief major champion in waiting, then countryman Paul Casey is firmly back in the conversation as the best player without a big, with all due respect to Lee Westwood. Casey’s effortless power and a smiling jaunt to the Dallah Trophy ensured the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic has another worthy name on its stellar roll call of champions and leaves us to wonder how he hasn’t landed a major. Yet.

“I think a lot of good stuff [is still to come], honestly I feel like I’ve regained my youth. I mean that sincerely and, yeah, I’m so happy.”

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Majlis makeover
You had to feel for the hard-working team at Emirates Golf Club as patchy pictures of the Majlis’ normally pristine greens were beamed around the globe during the Desert Classic. The great news is it won’t be long until those images are a distant memory with the course to close May 2 for a complete rebuild of the putting surfaces to USGA specifications. The greens had come to the end of their lifespan – roughly 20-25 years in the harsh desert environment – but will be rolling smoothly once more when the course is reopened in late September.

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No.1 for a very good reason
How good is Dustin Johnson, even when he’s not at his best. The most impressive aspect of the world No.1’s second Saudi International win in three years was his unflappable response to a catalogue of miss reads on the tricky Royal Greens putting surfaces. The only time the reigning Masters champion did get angry – if you could call a light slap on his own thigh after bogeying the 16th in the final round “angry” – Johnson responded by very nearly driving the next. A par 4. Job done.

“I’ve been playing some really good golf the last six months. Hopefully, I’m going to continue to play this kind of golf. I’m seeing a lot of the same things each and every week, and that’s what I do… I’ve got a great team around me that helps me kind of stay in that form so that I can perform at the highest level each and every week.”

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The dirty D word
With distance almost a dirty word in golf nowadays, Bryson DeChambeau finds himself the game’s new anti-hero, with all due respect to Patrick Reed. Thankfully, Saudi was another reminder that ridiculous length off the tee doesn’t guaranteed fairways in reg, much less trophies (Dustin Johnson’s victory notwithstanding). In the clamber to dial back the ball, we should remember that and the fact the next-gen love seeing athletes hit bombs. Are we trying to lure newcomers to the sport or tell them that improved athleticism isn’t really wanted? Remember too that Kevin Na contended. As DeChambeau (T-18) said himself, a distance advantage will always be a distance advantage no matter how long the course is or how far the ball flies. But that doesn’t mean the big boofers will always win. This is golf after all. The only guarantee is that you’ll never beat this maddeningly brilliant game.

The course Jack is building
The Kingdom might be home to the youngest of the Desert Swing events but boy, aren’t Golf Saudi in a hurry to make up for lost time. Even before one of this year’s strongest fields (it was only early Feb.) teed it up at Royal Greens, the governing body announced Jack Nicklaus has put his name to a new private course in the Qiddiya megaproject 40 minutes south-west of the capital Riyadh. And that Saudi Aramco was backing a four-event, $4 million series of Ladies European Tour events in New York, London, Singapore and KAEC. Talk about Kingdom come. It’s going to be fascinating to see what the golf landscape looks like in a decade’s time.

Enough already COVID
Just when we all thought the horrors of 2020 were behind us… Here’s hoping the cancelled Oman Open can be rescheduled for later in the year because Greg Norman’s Al Mouj Golf design in Muscat is one of the courses that give Middle East golf tourism a great name.

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Qatar Quality?
Anyone else surprised a year has passed since the European Tour put its 2020 season on ice following Jorge Campillo’s victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters? Yeah, it feels much longer than that to us too. With the coronavirus-enforced demise of the Oman Open a timely reminder to take nothing for granted, the return to Education City is our last chance to enjoy some top-level desert golf before the long haul to the Race to Dubai decider at JGE in late November. The quality of the field in Doha, now that a potential two-tourney Middle East detour has become a one event hit and run mission, will be telling. Whatever happens, at least it looks like we’ll all play on after Qatar. What a year – and a Desert Swing – it has been.

The post That’s (almost) a wrap! A dozen reasons why the 2021 Desert Swing was (and still is) a doozy appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

When even titleholder Graeme McDowell, a popular major champion, struggles for airtime, you know your field is seriously deep. Welcome then, to the 3rd Saudi International and the rise and rise of a Desert Swing juggernaut.

By Kent Gray
With the world No.1, golf’s very own human headline, seven of the world’s top 20 and a plethora of other drawcards besides, the 3rd Saudi International has satisfied its remit even before a ball has been hit at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

There is no guarantee Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and co. will turn up and turn it on (this is golf after all) but that they are turning up in King Abdullah Economic City at all means Golf Saudi’s ambition has been realised again. In spades.

Abu Dhabi has Rolex Series status and $8 million in prize money – more than double Saudi’s $3.5 million purse – in a $1 million increase on last season. Believe the whispers and it could even be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour next January. Dubai, meanwhile, isn’t going to relinquish its hard-earned reputation as the “Major of the Middle East”, not with that roll call of champions to die for. You can’t buy history. But no one ever said Saudi had to fall in nicely behind its neighbours when it comes to Desert Swing pulling power.

Dustin Johnson at last year’s Saudi International. Ross Kinnaird

“As entries are finalised for our third Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, we are very happy with our line-up of international star players as we are stronger in strength and depth than we have ever been,’ said Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi CEO Majed Al Sorour after unveiling Kevin Na, a PGA Tour winner for the fifth time just days earlier, as the event’s latest big-name signing.

RELATED: All you need to know about the three locals teeing it up in this week’s Saudi International

“Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all Saudis. So by hosting prestigious tournaments such as these demonstrates that we are able to host the world’s best players as a means of inspiring the next generation of young Saudis and Saudi golfers.

“We are also delighted to have such strong support from all our event sponsors who share our vision in ensuring this tournament is one of the strongest events on the European Tour schedule. Thanks to the support of our partners, we are able to continue to support golf development in the Kingdom, while helping to support their work showcasing Saudi Arabia as a destination for international business development.”

In these pandemic times, spectators will be few and far between at Royal Greens. Luckily the TV product will be spectacular and globally alluring.

Photo by Kevin Murray

RELATED: Tame the 12th, stroke index 1, at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

After his Sony Open victory, Na joined 2020 Masters champion Johnson, reigning U.S. Open champion DeChambeau, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed and world No.18 Tony Finau in the field for the Feb. 4-7 event.

Sprinkle in the usual European Tour suspects – Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and Danny Willett, along with defending champion Graeme McDowell – and Saudi has a field that almost matches a WGC for global quality.

But wait, there’s more. How about Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, the former world amateur No.1 who turned professional in October and immediately underlined his potential by winning the Dunlop Phoenix Masters on the JGTO in only his fourth start as a professional. Or Akshay Bhatia, the 19-year-old American lefty who idolises the one and only “Lefty”, Mickelson.

RELATED: Japanese star Takumi Kanaya headlines impressive Saudi invitee list

Japanese star Takumi Kanaya. Gregory Shamus

Golf Saudi hasn’t forgotten its own with Othman Almulla, Saudi’s pioneering professional, and Saud Al Sharif, the Kingdom’s leading amateur, setting their sights on becoming the first player to make the weekend at their home open.

RELATED: Othman Almulla and Saud Al Sharif will again proudly fly the Saudi flag at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

There’s even an intriguing amateur narrative with invites for Jordanian teen Shergo Kurdi and Spaniard Eduard Rousaud Sabate, the current world No.4.

“It feels right that we are also supporting so many young international players who look set to be the stars of tomorrow. We hope their experience of Saudi Arabia will be their first of many visits and they will be part of our journey in developing a vibrant and sustainable golfing nation.”

The only question that remains is which big name will join Johnson and McDowell on an honours board that might be new but is quickly making up for lost time with genuine quality.

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Jack Nicklaus designing new course for Saudi’s Qiddiya megacity

The post Royal Rumble III: How the 3rd Saudi International has already met its remit appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Like Koepka who is still searching for his first Middle East success, three-time Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer (2010, 2011) and Tommy Fleetwood (2017, 2018) – the only players to successfully defend the now Rolex Series title – will have designs on preventing reigning Open champion Lowry joining them in the history books.

Lowry will also have to overcome PGA Tour stars Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay, along with the usual cast of European names, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in what shapes as another absorbing start to the annual Desert Swing.

RELATED: Entertainment guaranteed on and off the fairways at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA 

As media partners, Golf Digest Middle East has 40 double passes to give away to our loyal readers across the four days of the Jan. 16-19 event – 10 each from Thursday to Sunday. Entry is simple as filling in your details below.

Tickets will be emailed to the lucky winners after the random draw.

For the record, Kaymer won the first of his record three Abu Dhabi titles in 2008. Paul Casey has also won the title twice, in 2007 and 2009.

Defending champion Shane Lowry tees off at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The post WIN! We’ve got 40 double passes to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to give away appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray
The Desert Swing’s youngest event has again lured the world No.1 to the shores of the Red Sea with Brooks Koepka confirmed to join defending champion Dustin Johnson at the 2nd Saudi International early next year.

Last year Justin Rose entered the European Tour’s newest event ranked No.1 in a field that eventually included four of the world’s top-five players in King Abdullah Economic City: Rose, Johnson, Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

Fast-forward 12 months and Johnson’s title defence looks set to be just as tricky as it was to win in the first place with four-time major champion Koepka set to headline another stellar cast at the $3.5 million event at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from Jan. 30-Feb.2.

Given recent trends, it seems likely Koepka and Johnson will play Abu Dhabi (Jan. 16-19), skip the following week in Dubai before teeing it up at Royal Greens. With DeChambeau already confirmed to defend the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (Jan. 23-26), it follows he is likely to again tag on the trip to KAEC as he did last season, ensuring more big-name pulling power for the SoftBank Investment Advisers-sponsored Saudi International. The Golf Scientist finished T-6 at Royal Greens last year, eight shots adrift of Johnson’s winning 19-under-par, 261 aggregate. 

RELATED: Defender DeChambeau headlines six Ryder Cuppers confirmed for 31st Desert Classic

Johnson, who fired a course-record round of 61 en-route to victory, edged China’s Haotong Li by two strokes in an absorbing final round duel last year. The now 35-year-old kicked on to capture his sixth World Golf Championship by four strokes at the WGC-Mexico Championship, runner-up finishes at both the Masters and the PGA Championship, as well as another three further top 10 finishes.

RELATED: Johnson wins inaugural Saudi International 

After finishing T-9 in Abu Dhabi, Koepka struggled to a share of 57th place in KAEC last February but was clearly only warming to his task.  The 29-year-old American went on to claim his fourth big at the US PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in addition to his maiden WGC title at the Fed-Ex St Jude Classic.

“Dustin and Brooks are two of the best players in the world and we are extremely pleased to welcome them back to the Kingdom,” said Golf Saudi chairman H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan.

“Last year was the first step towards realising our dream of opening Saudi Arabia up to the world and showcasing the beginnings of our vision for the country. Royal Greens Golf & Country Club proved to be an impressive host venue last year and we are excited to be welcoming back more of the world’s best players to King Abdullah Economic City in January.”

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They said it…

Dustin Johnson

“I really enjoyed my trip to Saudi Arabia last year and my game certainly suited the layout at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. I have very good memories from the week and look forward to defending my title next year. It’s great to see how Golf Saudi has strengthened its commitment to create a world-class golf event and its plans to grow golf in the region are in full swing. It’s an honour to be a part of it.”

Brooks Koepka
“I’m excited to be returning to Saudi Arabia, after an enjoyable visit last year. The golf course is one of the best I’ve played in the region, with incredible scenery, including some breathtaking views of the Red Sea. The event is an opportunity to showcase the work being done to grow the game of golf in the Kingdom, which was evidenced by the enthusiastic fans last year. It is great to be involved with the initiative and I look forward to seeing the progress Golf Saudi has made in the past year.”

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The 19-year-old, Dubai-domiciled Indian No.1 has been granted another special invite to the Desert Swing event from Jan. 24-27 and will tee it up at his beloved Emirates Golf Club alongside rising South African star Rebula. The 21-year-old from George is perhaps best known as the nephew of the Desert Classic’s only three-time winner, four-time major champion, Ernie Els. But Rebula clearly has game to go with the fabled family name after becoming the first South African to win the British Am since Bobby Cole in 1966.

Related: Ernie Els’ nephew wins British Amateur at Royal Aberdeen

Thomas’ global stock rose when he carded an opening 68 en-route to making his first European Tour cut at the 2017 Desert Classic, eventually settling for 60^th place following further rounds of 75-74-74 on the Majlis.

After a practice round with Rory McIlroy, the Dubai Creek member struggled last year, rounds of 73-77 seeing him miss the cut and finish 131^st, one spot and a shot better than tournament tail-gunner Darren Clarke, the former Open champion and current MENA Tour patron.

But Thomas will have high expectations next month after earning a spot in qualifying for the 148^th Open Championship at Royal Portrush by finishing runner-up at the 10^th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore before winning his second professional title at last month’s 11^th King Hamad Trophy in Bahrain late last month.

Related: Text exchange after Thomas’ King Hamad triumph gives insight into teen’s steely focus on the future

“The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is one of my favourite events of the year and is always special for me. It is a great honour to be invited to play in the tournament,” Thomas said.

“The Majlis course is like my home course. I am feeling confident in my game and am looking forward to returning – 2019 is sure to be a special one.”

Rebula will make his Middle East debut at Emirates G.C., and will be grateful for the big-time experience given what he has coming up in 2019. The South African’s prize for winning the British Am at Royal Aberdeen last June? Just starts at the Masters in April and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in June.

Jovan Rebula beat Irishman Robin Dawson 3&2 in the 36-hole British Amateur Championship final at Royal Aberdeen last June.
Mark Runnacles/R&A

The Auburn University player has already experienced the Open Championship, a tournament Uncle Ernie famously won twice. Rebula signed for rounds of 79-79 at Carnoustie in July to finish third from last, coincidentally a place – but seven shots – clear of Clarke.

“Being invited to play in such an iconic tournament is a huge privilege. I am really looking forward to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic being my first [pure]  European Tour event, especially as the tournament holds so much history for my uncle,” said Rebula.

Els first won the Desert Classic in 1994 by six strokes from Greg Norman. He went on to hoist the coveted dallah in 2002 and 2005.

Rebula is ranked 65^th in the official World Amateur Golf Ranking, 15 spots above his career best of 50^th. Thomas, who will play collegiate golf at Rickie Fowler’s alma mater, Oklahoma State University, next year, is currently ranked 21^st after being as low as 13^th.

“We are thrilled to have Rayhan and Jovan join us for the 30th edition of the tournament,” said ODDC tournament director David Spencer.

“They are both exceptional young players and I look forward to seeing them in action. To think neither of these young stars were born when we hosted our first tournament in 1989.”

For tournament information, tickets and hospitality packages, visit omegadubaidesertclassic.com

The post Thomas to take on Ernie Els’ nephew in spicy amateur showdown at 30th Desert Classic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Ryan Herrington
Sunday felt like a long time coming for England’s Eddie Pepperell. Many labeled the gregarious 27-year-old a rising talent on the European Tour, but he needed 129 starts in six seasons (along with one return trip Qualifying School) before finally claiming the breakthrough win so many expected.

Impressively, Pepperell’s maiden Euro Tour victory at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters came not through aggressive play or by overpowering Doha Golf Club. Rather, it was the patience Pepperell’s learned as he’s grown as a professional golfer that served him well, closing with a two-under 70 to hold off countryman Oliver Fisher by a stroke, winning with an 18-under 280 total.

Pepperell and Fisher started the day in the desert tied for the lead, and while Pepperell felt like he was struggling when he opened with eight straight pars before a birdie on the ninth, it was good enough to grab a four-stroke lead on Fisher, who had made a trio of bogeys on the front side.    

“I had to play smarter on the front nine, with some tricky pins,” Pepperell said.

Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Playing with a cushion after making another birdie on the 10th hole, Pepperell picked his spots on the back nine. Case in point: On the short par-4 16th, after he had bogeyed the previous hole, Pepperell hit a 3-iron/wedge to set up a five-foot birdie. “I knew I was playing especially quite well tee to green,” Pepperell said.

Fisher, though, would not go quietly, making five birdies on the back nine to pull within one stroke as the pair played the par-5 18th hole. Both players laid up with their second shots, but Pepperell was in the rough to hit his third shot. Fisher hit his approach to 10 feet but failed to make the birdie, setting Pepperell up to take the title when he two-putted for his par.

? The best of Pepperell’s winning final round ?#QatarMasters pic.twitter.com/thDJdkVxWb

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 25, 2018

“This will give me confidence,” said Pepperell, who first earned his European Tour card in 2012, but had to regain it at Q school in 2016. In 2017, he had four top-five finishes on the season, chronicling his season on his own highly entertaining blog.

“I’ve always felt and believed I will win out here, but it hadn’t happened before today,” Pepperell said. “You’ve always got to take that step and that’s uneasy, but at some point in everyone’s career they’ve got to do something for the first time. Hopefully, this is not my last.”

The final #QatarMasters leaderboard:

???????-18 @PepperellEddie
???????-17 @olifisher1
??-16 @marcuskinhult
??-15 @RenatoParatore
??-15 @plarrazabal
??-15 @gfcgolf
??-15 @GregHavret

All Scores: https://t.co/8M0WPsnuHO pic.twitter.com/6INIh9h3dw

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) February 25, 2018

The post Rising star Eddie Pepperell gets the maiden win he’s been waiting for at Qatar Masters appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Kent Gray

1. Tommy Take Two

No one can ever take the 2017 Race to Dubai title off Tommy Fleetwood but the fact Justin Rose so nearly did on the final Sunday of the season lingered in the younger Englishman’s craw as 2018 opened.

The 27-year-old admitted as much on the Tuesday of his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title defence.

“The biggest thing for us after last year, I had had the year of my life by a long way, was to make sure that we kept progressing, kept improving,” the Southport lad said. “We sort of really wanted to look at the year like, you know, if Justin Rose had shot level par on that back nine on Sunday [at the DP World Championship; Rose was two-over, slipped to T-4 and eventually finished runner-up in the season standings to Fleetwood], then I wouldn’t have had The Race to Dubai title.

“So it was sort of important to maybe try and prove as if you were hurt and you had not had that whole euphoria of achieving something amazing in your career.”

Fast-forward to Sunday evening at Abu Dhabi G.C. and it was mission accomplished. With masterful ball-striking and some equally silky putting, Fleetwood scorched around the back nine of a wind-swept National course in a scarcely believable 30 strokes to sign for a 65 and join Martin Kaymer as a back-to-back winner of the Falcon trophy.

Talk about vindicating the Seve award he received on the Tuesday after being voted Players’ Player of 2017 by his peers.

“To sort of validate your position of Race to Dubai champion or Player of the Year so early on is really sort of nice and satisfying,” Fleetwood said after capturing his fourth European Tour title.

The scintillating finish didn’t go unnoticed by Rory McIlroy who hailed Fleetwood as a “great addition to the world of golf, a great addition to The European Tour and will be a great addition to The Ryder Cup team in September.” The latter is still to be achieved but the world No.12’s defiant grittiness looks set to make him an integral figure in golf’s global conversation more and more.

“I want to go places in the game. So to have your peers talk about you like that, Rory, obviously has done it all in the game, is very nice.”

2. Tom Buchanan – Dreams are made of this

Ain’t golf great. Big Tom Buchanan mightn’t have survived the weekend in Abu Dhabi but the fact the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club head pro got to peg it up in the €3 million European Tour event proves even the giddy upper echelons aren’t out of reach for your Average Tom, Dick or Harry.  Bobby Jones famously said “Nicklaus played a game of which I am not familiar” after Jack won the 1965 Masters so you can imagine what Buchanan, teeing it up in the same field as world No.1 Dustin Johnson and returning Rory McIlroy, felt. But just to have a shot at testing himself in such esteemed company after winning a UAE PGA qualifier at Saadiyat Beach before Christmas was something out of The Boy’s Own Annual.

“For us guys to have the chance to play an event like this is incredible. Hopefully, the people who have come with me [Buchanan’s Brigade] are enough to cement it for the next wee while as well because for us as club PGA pros, for an 18-hole shootout to get into what is now the premier event in Europe, is just incredible.”

Buchanan lapped up every minute of it and even saw the funny side of the odd ropy swing during rounds of 74-75 which left him 119th in the 126-man field and very much in awe of golf’s best.

The Scot, who celebrated his 38th birthday on the Tuesday of the championship, was asked if he had any regrets moving to the UAE six years earlier?

“When I left Duddingston I came over here with a holdall and my set of golf clubs. Now I’ve got a wee bit more than a holdall; a wife, two kids, and still the same set of golf clubs [laughter].” And now, golf memories to last a lifetime. Well played Tom, the UAE PGA, IMG, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi G.C.

3. We’ve got a Topgolf Crush

Every year the organisers of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship somehow up the ante with their off-course entertainment but they truly outdid themselves this time.  The double-decker  Top Golf Crush in the always family-friendly Championship Village was a brilliant innovation. Who knows, maybe a future Fleetwood, Rory or DJ will recall making his first tentative swings there someday. It certainly has us amped for the introduction of TopGolf proper to the Middle East at Emirates G.C. next year. We can’t conclusively say Abu Dhabi does the best championship village on the European Tour, but if last year’s Open at Royal Birkdale is any measure, it’s surely close.

4. The Tiger effect

What a week it was for Todd Clements at the Desert Classic, the world amateur No.30 making the cut on the record -5 number with rounds of 69-70 before finishing 68th with weekend rounds of 71-76.

The 21-year-old former English amateur champion is a product of the MENA Tour and fits the profile mentioned by another MENA Tour star, Jamie Elson, the latter sadly unable to cash-in on a fine opening 68 as the scoring got seriously silly on Friday and spilt into the weekend.

“I think it’s the Tiger Woods effect really,” said Elson, a worthy ambassador for region’s developmental circuit. “I think the kids that he inspired to start the game are now 25 years of age and they’re pros, and they’re, you know, flying it 300 yards through the air. I mean you look at the scores, never used to shoot scores like that around this sort of golf course, but you know that’s the standard these days and that’s what you have to do.”

There are those who prefer a stiffer test for the best, Pablo Larrazabal apparently among them as this tweet from the 2014 Abu Dhabi champion pointed out. “We must tight[en] the fairways, grow the rough and firm the greens to make it tougher…nowadays, all about hitting it hard and a putting contest…-5 cut at the #ODDC18 is crazy.”

It sure was crazy…crazy good to watch. We get where the Spaniard is coming from and yes, balls that spin less from drivers with larger sweet spots are apparently an issue… blah, blah…

But there’s a reason nobody goes to watch the monthly medal. We’ll take birdies and eagles over a par snore-fest any day. That’s no way to grow a game the likes of Clements and co. are now making an utterly absorbing watch.

5. Rory was the story

Haotong Li richly deserves these column inches for his spirited performance down the stretch on the Majlis. Rory McIlroy, despite the expert predictions, simply didn’t bring his best stuff to the final round of a historically low Desert Classic, two back nine bogeys in a 69 leaving him contemplating what could have and probably should have been back-to-back wins in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

By contrast, Li “hit some of the best shots in my life” to match the three-under 69 and ride the one stroke cushion (over McIlroy) he started Sunday with all the way to a -23 aggregate, a score that eclipsed by a shot, the previous Majlis benchmark jointly held by Thomas Bjørn (2001), Stephen Gallagher (2013) and McIlroy (2015).  In golf, you can only control your own game and Li did that better than McIlroy; the plaudits and associated riches – $500,000 and a giddy ride up the world rankings from 60th to 32nd – flowed and will continue to do so.

But for all Li’s grittiness and that glorious putting, McIlroy dominated the over-arching narrative from the first half of the now split Desert Swing.

Save for a sloppy Sunday on The National where he carded a 70 (compared to Fleetwood’s 65), the three-putt par on 13 and an off-piste bogey on 16 at Emirates G.C, the world No.11’s comeback would have been utterly exceptional rather than merely brilliant.

“If someone had told me at the start of the year you’d finish third and second your first two events, I’d say, yeah, I’d take that.” Except McIlroy couldn’t accept it. “But being in the positions I’ve been in and having two close calls the first couple of weeks of the year, it’s a little difficult. The competitor in me is very disappointed right now. I wanted to win. I always want to win, and I just didn’t do enough when I needed to.”

The consolation was a swing that looks more silkily synchronised than ever before. The 324-yard 3-wood on 13 Sunday was exhibit A (just don’t mention the three-putt!) and he has plenty of reps before Augusta to iron out the slight big stick misses and those uncharacteristic “mental errors” that marred his Dubai bid. If his blade comes to the party, watch out world. Sure, a first Falcon and a record-tying third Dallah would have been nice, but we suspect a career Grand Slam-sealing green jacket will be ample consolation. McIlroy MkII certainly looks capable.

6. Bjørn again…and again

Thomas Bjørn couldn’t have scripted a better start to the Desert Swing, what with Sergio Garcia winning in Singapore and Jon Rahm in California on the same weekend as Tommy Fleetwood repeated in Abu Dhabi (it didn’t hurt that he made the cut on the National either). But the smile was short lived and not because Europe’s Ryder Cup captain had an unwanted weekend off in Dubai. These are going to be a stressful nine months for Bjørn as we witnessed first hand playing the Pro-Am with the quiet but oft-volcanic Dane on the eve of the Desert Classic. Not a hole went by when either a fan or a TV cameraman wanted a piece of the 46-year-old. He handled it with aplomb but clearly has the weight of Europe on his ample shoulders. Walking off our final green Bjørn agreed it was going to be nice to get his quiet life back post Le Golf National “but we’ve got some Americas to beat first”.  Here’s hoping he gets some breathing space to achieve just that.

7. The stars align

Not to be outdone by Abu Dhabi, the Omega Dubai Desert  Classic’s ‘Constellation Clinic’ was a doozy. A doff of our cap to Rory McIlroy for giving his precious time, a lesson and a shiny new set of TaylorMade sticks to young Arjun Gupta, and to the organisers for coming up with competition that saw young Irish lass Saoirse Lambe play the Pro-Am with McIlroy and Niall Horan. There are those unconvinced by the increasing influence of social media on golf and more than a few naysayers when Dubai announced Paige Spiranac, golf’s Instagram Queen would be the event’s official starter. But you only had to see the gaggle of teenage girls swooning over Horan to understand that golf is going in, ahem, one direction. Whether many or any, will be lured to the game by the boy band heartthrob is a moot point; you’ve got to get the next generation through the turnstiles somehow and Dubai leads the way on that front. The 600,000 and counting (even past its used-by date) impressions a tweet we posted, merely mentioning golf nut Horan was starring at the clinic, was a case in point. The birdie count on the Majlis almost matched those metrics and it all added up to a Ror-ing success.

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The world No.11 couldn’t quite deliver a fairytale comeback from his 3.5 month hiatus from top-flight golf but a share of third place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship showed the return of the Rolls Royce version of Rory is purring along well ahead of schedule.

It’s certainly heightened expectations for next week’s $3 million Dubai Desert Classic where the 28-year-old Northern Irishman will again lock horns with repeat Abu Dhabi champion Tommy Fleetwood, Dallah trophy defender Sergio Garcia (fresh from a season opening victory at the Singapore Open) and PGA Tour funnyman Pat Perez.

“Yeah, it’s a golf course I know very well. As I said, my game is in good shape. So I have no doubt if I can play the same way I played this week, I’ll have a good chance again next week,” said McIlroy who will hope to emulate Ernie Els’ Desert Classic hat-trick after wins at Emirates Golf Club in 2009 and 2015.

“It’s just a matter of dusting myself off and sort of looking back on this week, I think it’s been a huge success for me, even though I didn’t win today. I felt like I got a lot out of it, and yeah, I’m excited to get back at it again next week.”

A cold driver and a slightly less control of his irons, no slight in the blustery conditions, ultimately scuppered McIlroy’s title hopes on The National as he closed with a 70. But after opening with rounds of 69-66-65 to finish -18 with a haul of 19 birdies and an eagle against just three bogeys, he will head up Sheikh Zayed Road full of confidence.

“I’m really happy with how I played. My game is in really good shape and I saw some really, really positive signs. So I’m looking forward to next week in Dubai

“Maybe didn’t get the ball close enough on the back nine today but apart from that. You know, it’s been really good. I’m really happy with how I played this week and gives me confidence going into not only next week, but the next few months ahead, as well.”

McIlroy doffed his cap to Fleetwood after the 27-year-old scorched to a second Falcon trophy with a back-nine of 30 in a Sunday 65.

“It’s incredible. He had a great year last year, won The Race to Dubai, No. 1 in Europe and then to just keep going. This week, defending champion, to put that round of golf together out there today, I mean, 65 in those conditions is seriously impressive,” the former world No.1 said.

“And six-under, back nine when he needed to. He’s a great addition to the world of golf, a great addition to The European Tour and will be a great addition to The Ryder Cup team in September.”

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The Englishman led going into the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and didn’t disgrace himself with a 69, only to undone by a blistering six under back nine as Tommy Fleetwood won his second Falcon Trophy.

“Hats off to Tommy. I don’t feel like I’ve lost a tournament. Tommy’s gone out there and shot 65 and he’s won it, so all credit to Tommy.”

Fisher is no stranger to contention, with eight top-10 finishes last season. He’s also not unfamiliar with the bridesmaid tag. Back to back silvers in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and Italian Open in October ’17 summed up a ‘not quite but nearly’ year.

The world No.31 is not afraid to going low in the final round either, only to be pipped to the post. At the Dunhill he set a new course record at the famous Old Course at St Andrews with a final round 61 as he piled the pressure on eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton.

The 2014 Tshwane Open champion started fast with an eagle at the 2nd and two more birdies on the front nine but followed it up with a frustrating two bogey/one birdie homeward nine as Fleetwood seize the initiative and held on to win by two. 

“It was always going to be tricky. But yeah, to get out, 4-under par, was flying and in control. Unfortunately hit a poor tee shot on 10 but managed to salvage a great six in the end holing a 20-, 25-footer there, and then yeah, felt like I was hitting good shots but it was just very tricky to get close to the pins. 

“The wind was strong. It was gusty, it was left-to-right, it was helping, it was into. It was tricky, and then obviously 15 was disappointing. Thought I hit a better shot than that. Just unfortunately just didn’t push it enough.

“And then just tried to suck it up and play three good quality holes. Managed to birdie 16 and then needed a good drive off the last, which I didn’t get. Tried my best and unfortunately came up short.”

The five-time European Tour winner’s final nine was his first over par of the tournament, and his final round 69 his worst of the week following two 67s and a 65 Saturday. But Fisher doesn’t feel like he stumbled at the final hurdle, the case was simply that Fleetwood’s six-under-par back nine was too much to contend with.

“Then I knew, I think I was 20 (under par), I think I glanced and I saw Tommy had got it to 20 and I had a good chance from 14 for birdie which just slid by. Then obviously bogeying 15, I knew I’m going to have to have a strong finish, obviously after I birdie to get it to 20.

“I think Tommy was 21, and then I think just before I holed my putt on 17 for par, sort of saw the leaderboard flash up with a birdie 4. So I knew I needed to hole it, but gave myself a decent chance with the second shot. Hit the shot how I wanted to, waited for the wind to drift it and trying to chip-in from that distance, always going to be tricky but gave it a go and unfortunately didn’t come out how I wanted it to.”

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The world No.1 finished a shot shy of Tommy Fleetwood in his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship debut last January despite recording just three red numbers – a birdie and two eagles for a collective five under – in 20 visits to the par 5s.

That stat caught the 33-year-old American unawares in his pre-tournament presser.

“Yeah, I guess, I didn’t know what I shot on the par fives last time. I guess you just told me, so I didn’t play them that great. Obviously like to play them a little better.”

If DJ plays the 2nd, 8th, 10th and 18th holes anything like he’s capable of, he’ll take some beating, especially as he comes in with form after an eight shot romp to the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions a fortnight ago.

“The golf course here is very good. Actually the fairways are probably a little bit softer this year than they were last year, same with the greens. You know, the par 5s, they are not real easy because they are fairly long, but dependent on the wind, I can reach them if I hit good tee balls.”

With six drives of more than 370 yards in his closing 65 in Kapalua, two of them in excess of  400 yards, that shouldn’t be an issue.

“This year I know the course a little bit better, so we’ll see. Hopefully I can play as well as I did in Hawaii.

“It’s hard to say, yeah, I’m going to go out and win. There’s a lot of great players in the field, so you know, I could have a really good week and still lose. That’s just how golf is. I just want to go out and put myself in a position to have a chance to win on Sunday…that’s kind of all I can do.”

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