Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic said: “We’re delighted to partner with IFZA as we prepare to deliver the historic 35^th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.

“This new partnership is of strategic importance with IFZA playing a key part in supporting Dubai’s economic growth in recent years, and this collaboration is another step forward that will help enhance our position as one of the leading golf tournaments in the global calendar while providing memorable experiences for players, officials and our fans alike.”

Jochen Knecht, IFZA’s CEO said: “IFZA is delighted to be a partner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The event has incredible legacy and is a standard bearer for quality and excellence in the region. For 35 years, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has been bringing the world’s greatest golfers to Dubai – this fits perfectly with IFZA’s commitment to position Dubai as a strategic business and lifestyle destination as we assist business leaders and entrepreneurs from around the world to establish their businesses in Dubai so we can create success together.

“IFZA is undergoing unprecedented international expansion to drive business generation from markets around the world into Dubai. A part of this drive will see IFZA offices in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, China and the Americas. In addition, through our IFZA Cares programme, we have strong social and environmental values which we will bring to life at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic through our mangrove planting initiative.”

As the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, IFZA optimises the country’s strategic location and world-class infrastructure to enable organisations to set up their business in Dubai to create success. To date, they have incorporated thousands of businesses from key international markets, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, USA, India and China, into UAE.

As part of the partnership, IFZA will provide invaluable support to help deliver the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region’s longest-running golf tournament, first held in 1989. In addition, as part of its ongoing environmental efforts, IFZA will plant a mangrove sapling at one of its existing planting locations in the UAE for every car that is parked by visitors at Emirates Golf Club during the milestone 35^th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 18^th to 21st January.

Its ecosystem is designed to provide a network of support to entrepreneurs and businesses beyond company formation, including commercial real estate, insurance, banking support, accounting services and professional training through the IFZA Academy for Training FZCO.

Just four weeks remain until the Emirates Golf Club welcomes some of golf’s biggest names for the Rolex Series tournament. World No.2 and defending champion, Rory McIlroy, will be searching for his historic fourth title with organisers set to confirm further names for this year’s stellar line-up in the coming weeks.

Image: Supplied

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They will join defending champion and World Number Two Rory McIlroy at the iconic Emirates Golf Club for the first Rolex Series event of the 2024 Race to Dubai, from January 18-21.

Reigning Open Champion Harman sealed his maiden Major title at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July during a stellar season which saw him notch up six further top tens – including two runner-up finishes – on the PGA TOUR and make his Ryder Cup debut in Rome in September. 

The World Number Nine, who will make his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut in January, said: “I’m excited to tee it up in Dubai for the first time. It looks like a stunning venue that has identified great champions. I’d love to add my name to that list.”

Six-time DP World Tour winner and Dubai resident Fleetwood is more familiar with the Majlis Course, with the World Number 14 returning for his 13th consecutive appearance at the event.

The 2017 Race to Dubai champion rounded out a memorable season – which included his second Ryder Cup win – with a runner-up finish in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, and he is aiming for further success in the United Arab Emirates, following his back-to-back victories in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.

Fleetwood said: “This an event that I love, I’ve played the Hero Dubai Desert Classic every year since I came out on Tour. I look forward to playing in front of friends and family again in January.”

Hatton, who enjoyed Ryder Cup success alongside European teammates Fleetwood and McIlroy in Rome, has four top ten finishes in his nine previous Hero Dubai Desert Classic appearances. He has also tasted past success in the region, with the last of his six DP World Tour titles coming at the 2021 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The World Number 12 will be seeking a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series win when he tees it up in Dubai once again.

Hatton said: “It’s always a great tournament and I’ve played well in the past. I’m looking forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club and hopefully adding to my success in the region.” 

American Young will join compatriot Harman in making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut, and just his second regular DP World Tour event appearance following the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.

The 26-year-old, who was named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year for the 2021/22 season, enjoyed five top ten finishes this season, including runner-up at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and T7 at the Masters, adding to his burgeoning Major credentials following top three finishes at the US PGA Championship and The Open in 2022.  

The World Number 21 said: “I’m looking forward to getting over to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the first time. I’ve heard many great things about both Dubai and the event. It’ll be a fun week of competition to help kickstart my year.”

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Brian Harman and Cameron Young for the first time to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2024 while also seeing the return of Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton again.

“They have all achieved great success in their careers so far and their rankings speaks for itself of how competitive they are. By lining up for the tournament not only makes the field stronger but it also solidifies the Hero Dubai Desert Classic’s position as one of the best golf tournaments in the world and presents a fantastic opportunity for fans to watch the best stars in action.”

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic will be celebrating its 35th anniversary and its recent official certification as the first Geo-Certified event in the Middle East, and the first in the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series.

This year’s event combines world-class golf with a huge array of family-friendly entertainment.  Spectators can look forward to a wider variety of options off the course than ever before with something for fans of all ages to enjoy across the tournament. 

Free general admission tickets and limited hospitality packages for the Dallah Lounge are still available at dubaidesertclassic.com. 

Organisers are also encouraging fans to use the Metro service to travel to and from the tournament, with Al Khail station located directly outside the club’s main entrance.

Main image: David Cannon/Getty Images

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Registration is now open for the Rolex Series event which will be held from 18th to 21st January at Emirates Golf Club. Defending champion and World No.2 Rory McIlroy, who will be searching for his historic fourth Dallah Trophy, has already confirmed his participation, with more big names to be announced in the coming weeks. 

Previous editions have been hugely successful, and organisers are encouraging people to be part of the world-class team and play a key role in delivering another incredible weekend of competition both on and off the course. Each volunteer will be required to commit for at least two days, with the team needed prior to and during the tournament from Monday 15th January to Sunday 21st January 2024.

Whether or not you’re an avid golf fan, volunteers aged 16 and over can look forward to gaining invaluable experience while getting an unrivalled insight into what it takes to run an event of this nature. Organisers are also accepting applications from those who are aged between 12 to 15 but must be accompanied by a guardian.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director  The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The success of every Dubai Desert Classic edition that we have staged would not be possible without the support of our fantastic team of volunteers who are truly our unsung heroes.

“To give up their time and energy no matter how many days they volunteer is something we really appreciate, and we encourage people from all over the world to get involved in what will be a historic 35th edition of the tournament.

“From walking marshals, who will walk alongside the elite players and be responsible for crowd control at each hole to assisting TV crew, there are various roles to choose from where people can make a huge difference and we look forward to receiving a raft of applications in the coming weeks.”

Free general admission and hospitality tickets are still available, and organisers have a wide array of family-entertainment lined up on all four days. 

Fans are encouraged to use the Metro service to travel to and from the tournament, with Al Khail station located directly outside the club’s main entrance.

To register as a volunteer, click here ahead of 31 December 2023 deadline.

Main image: Supplied

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Hosted by Hero Dubai Desert Classic in collaboration with Emirates Golf Federation, registration is now open for the 2024 tournament which will take place on 13th and 14th January at Emirates Golf Club.

Following a historic inaugural edition in 2023, which saw champion Joe Jones take victory after the Briton’s two-stroke triumph, organisers are looking forward to welcoming golf’s brightest young stars at the start of the new year.

The youth tournament, open to players aged 18 and under, will take place just a few days before golf’s top stars take to the greens for the 35th edition of the historic Hero Dubai Desert Classic from 18th to 21st January.

As part of the 36-hole tournament, golf’s next generation will each play one round on the famed Faldo and Majlis courses, giving amateurs an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a professional at an elite tournament with access to the courses, driving range, locker rooms and lounges.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The game of golf is growing at a rapid pace across the globe, and it’s no different in the Middle East region with a large number of young players taking to the courses every week.

“As organisers of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, we are committed to nurturing young talent and developing the sport’s stars of tomorrow regularly and the 2024 Junior Dubai Desert Classic reaffirms this. Not only can juniors look forward to a unique opportunity of playing in world-class facilities in a professional-like tournament setting at the Emirates Golf Club but playing against the best young talents in the region will help their game to the next level.”

Following the tournament, organisers have confirmed the winning player of the tournament will enjoy a range of exclusive prizes, including invites to the Faldo Series Grand Final 2024 and the Shubhankar Sharma Junior Invitational Final 2024 alongside several experiences across the weekend of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Registration closes on 15th December at midday. Players must be aged 18 or under on 13th January 2024 and hold a valid handicap of 14.4 or below.

To register or for more information, click here.

Main image: Supplied

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The strategic collaboration will see Nakheel play a key role in the 35^th edition, set to take place from 18^th to 21^st January 2024, and reaffirms its ongoing efforts to support premium sporting events, offering holistic lifestyle experiences to Dubai’s visitors and residents.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Nakheel as the Official Partner for the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Over the years, Nakheel has established itself as a prominent global figure in master development with its impressive portfolio of projects and very much like the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, they are synonymous in Dubai’s landscape today. Their expertise will help elevate the visitors’ experience in what promises to be a historic 35^th edition of the tournament.”

Omar Khoory, Chief Projects Officer, Nakheel said: “The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is one of the most popular sporting events in the Middle East region and our partnership that sees Nakheel as the Official Partner reflects our vision by promoting health and fitness and enhancing the quality of life. People are at the forefront of everything that we do, and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic gives us an opportunity to connect with the local community and international visitors, and create lasting memories.”

Dubai-based Nakheel boasts an iconic portfolio of projects including master communities and residential, retail, hospitality and leisure developments that are central to realising Dubai’s vision. Nakheel’s waterfront projects, including Palm Jumeirah, have added more than 300 kilometres to Dubai’s original, 70km coastline, and has paved the way for the development of hundreds of waterfront homes, resorts, hotels and attractions.

The collaboration comes with weeks to go until World No.2 and three-time champion Rory McIlroy takes to the Majlis Course as he bids to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic title for a historic fourth time.

The Northern Irishman will be joined by a strong field with organisers set to announce more players in the coming weeks.

Free general admission and hospitality tickets are still available while there will be a wide array of family entertainment lined up on all four days. To secure your tickets or for more information, please visit dubaidesertclassic.com.

Organisers are also encouraging fans to use the Metro service to travel to and from the tournament, with Al Khail station located directly outside the club’s main entrance.

Main image: Supplied

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Join in the fun and take in the action as some of the world’s best golfers once again take to the Majlis Course, with three-time champion McIlroy headlining a stellar field at the $9 million Rolex Series tournament, marking its 35th anniversary.

Last year, the Northern Irishman successfully defended his title, ensuring a third consecutive victory. Fans can anticipate a similar level of excitement this time around.

Rory McIlroy has won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic three times and is the defending champion. Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Alongside the free general admission tickets, now is the time to take advantage of the early-bird hospitality packages, which are on sale now.

Packages range from AED 1,710 for Thursday per person to AED 2,430 for Friday to Sunday, with season tickets at AED 8,000 for all four days of the event. Regular hospitality packages will be AED 1,900 for Thursday and AED 2,700 for Friday to Sunday and season tickets at AED 9,000.

Not only will fans be able to watch the world-class golf action, there will be family-friendly entertainment at the tournament village, plenty of F&B options , and post-action entertainment each day.

Keeping things green, organisers of the first Geo-certified Golf event in the Middle East are encouraging fans to use the Metro service to travel to and from the tournament, with Al Khail station located directly outside the club’s main entrance.

Fans can register for limited free general admission tickets for the Rolex Series event at www.dubaidesertclassic.com or by downloading the new Dubai Desert Classic app available on Google Play or Apple Store.

AT A GLANCE
COST
Limited free general admission tickets now available
Early bird hospitality packages from AED 1,710 to AED 2,430. Season tickets at AED 8,000 for all four days
LOCATION
Emirates Golf Course, Dubai
TIMINGS
7am to 11pm daily
MORE INFORMATION
www.dubaidesertclassic.com

Main mage: Hero Dubai Desert Classic

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Given his fair complexion, Sepp Straka would never pass a Hollywood audition for the part of “tall dark stranger”. But there is no doubt the 30-year-old Austrian is, at least within the team room, the least known member of the European Ryder Cup side that will attempt to wrest the trophy from American hands later this month.

While much has been made of other Ryder Cup rookies such as Ludvig Aberg and Nicolai Hojgaard since captain Luke Donald added Straka and five others to the six automatic qualifiers, the University of Georgia graduate — hence the southern twang — has gone pretty much under the radar. But, as he was at pains to confirm after completing an opening two-under 70 at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship, he definitely does not feel in any way neglected.

And there is certainly nothing approaching resentment from his teammates with regard to where Straka played most of his golf. This week marks just the 20th DP World Tour start in his professional career.

“I do spend the majority of my time on the PGA Tour,” Straka acknowledged. “But if the team wanted to have the best players, I am one of those. So there has never really been any issues. To make the team, you just have to make sure you’re one of the 12 best players. And I felt like I did that.”

Apart from anything else, Straka made his desire to be part of the biennial match known early in the qualifying process. In January, he made the epic trip from Hawaii to Abu Dhabi to be part of the Continental Europe team that would defeat their Great Britain & Ireland counterparts in the Hero Cup. Straka emerged from that victory with a 2-2-0 record that included a final day 5&4 victory in singles.

The following two weeks at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic were less successful — Straka missed the cut in both. But he had made his intentions clear with regard to the Ryder Cup: he wanted in. Eventually anyway. Sitting in the plane halfway between departure and arrival in the UAE, a little doubt did creep in.

“Two days into the trip, I was thinking, why am I doing this?” he says. “But then when I got there it was a lot of fun. It was great. We don’t get to play that type of golf very much. Not in a team environment, playing foursomes and four-balls. Plus, I thought it was invaluable for me to get some people to know me. At that point I was I was kind of on the outskirts of the radar. But it was so early. Really, I was just trying to get to know some guys.”

If they didn’t know him then, they surely do now. And ever since Donald made his picks, no one’s come close to questioning the two-time PGA Tour winner’s claims for inclusion. Not with a victory at the John Deere Classic, a runner-up spot in the Open Championship and a T-7 finish at the PGA Championship on his recent résumé.

“Sepp gets along great with everyone,” says European assistant captain Nicolas Colsaerts. “He gels into the group really easily. And he’s a ball-striking machine. Who wouldn’t want to play with Sepp Straka? I know there will be a lot of guys putting their hands up to be paired with him.”

In that regard, it would seem logical and likely, as Colsearts hinted, that Straka will feature in both foursomes sessions, the “alternate shot” format a good fit with his consistency tee-to-green. Plus, back in his amateur days he represented his country in European Team Championships, both events featuring foursomes play.

“My game does seem to fit in foursomes,” Straka said. “I’ve always felt pretty comfortable in that format. We do like a little Ryder Cup style match in Birmingham with all the pros. And I’ve always felt at ease in foursomes there. It’s just a very comfortable environment for me.”

Straka’s ball-striking prowess makes him well-suited to compete in foursomes later this month at the Ryder Cup. Richard Heathcote

Helping Straka in that department is caddie Duane Bock, who switched from his long-time employer, Kevin Kisner, to join the Vienna native back in July. In preparation for the matches, the American-born Bock has already dispensed with the patriotic red-white-and-blue cover on his yardage book.

“It was a great move for me,” Straka said. “First it was just supposed to be temporary. But we quickly realized we had something going. He’s one of the best caddies out there and he’s really helped my game a lot.”

That trend will likely have to continue this week the DP World Tour’s flagship event. By mid-afternoon on a day made for golf, Straka’s 70 was six shots off the pace set by Denmark’s Marcus Helligkilde.

“I’m very happy with the way I hit the ball,” was Straka’s initial verdict. “And very happy with the way I played overall. But my chipping was terrible today. I don’t know that I got a single ball up and down. So I left a lot out there.”

Still, no matter. Whatever happens, this week and next and especially the week after that, Straka is clearly going to have bigger things on his mind.

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It was announced on Tuesday that the Hero Dubai Desert Classic — the flagship event in the Middle East for the DP World Tour — has become the first golf event in the region and the DPWT Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status.

The announcement demonstrates the event’s leadership among sustainable golf events. The distinction is awarded by the international non-profit GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf and is based on the strength of commitment, breadth and depth of action, and range of tangible measured impacts across a broad sustainability agenda.

Obtaining GEO Certified status has become a notable achievement showcased by many of the world’s most renowned golf venues and events.

Motivate Media Group is patron of the event and its Golf Digest Middle East team, which manages the onsite annual Desert Classic Daily News publications, have been and continue to be printed on sustainably sourced paper, to aid the environmental push.

Commenting on the award, Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic said: “We are delighted that the Dubai Desert Classic is the first golf event in the Middle East to achieve this important distinction and milestone. It speaks to our strong dedication to tackling priority environmental and social issues, as we strive to deliver meaningful net positive impacts through the event. With the wide reach that the tournament has, we hope this achievement will help to raise awareness and inspire other events, businesses, and individuals across the region and beyond.”

A number of initiatives at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic have helped it reach the new status. DP World Tour

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, added: “With 2023 being the Year of Sustainability in the UAE, and as the country prepares to host COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the Dubai Desert Classic’s certification is a laudable achievement and a meaningful step towards achieving the wider, national net-zero objectives. We congratulate them on their inspiring commitment to resource efficiency and climate action. This accomplishment sets an exceptional example of sustainable best practice within such high-profile global mass events, further reinforcing the city’s position as an international events hub in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033 launched by our visionary leadership to further consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities.”

The criteria for the certification of tournaments spans a range of priority sustainability themes and action areas; supported by detailed best practices; which are in turn weighted and scored. A minimum number of points are required to achieve certification. These are verified by an accredited, third party and expert verifier, who visits during event week to observe practices, projects, and other activations on site. A verifier report is then submitted to the GEO Certification team. If the criteria are met, certification is then awarded accompanied by key Continual Improvement Points.

Andrew Lynch, Head of Sustainability for the European Tour group said: “It is wonderful to see events across the DP World Tour schedule leaning into sustainability in this way. Making it integral to the way they are planned, staged, and promoted. It aligns fully with our own Green Drive strategy and leadership actions we are taking across our own operations and our owned and staged events. We encourage all of our valued tournament promoters to join the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in making their tournaments a true showcase for sustainability.”

The Desert Classic has been a staple of golf in the Middle East for nearly a quarter-century. Supplied

Highlights from the Hero Dubai Desert Classic included:

• Wide use of solar power with the Media Centre and 80 per cent of the fan area between 11th and 15th holes powered by solar
• Free water refill points have helped divert 80,000 single-use plastic bottles from Landfill since 2022
• 100 per cent biofuel used in temporary generators throughout the event helping accelerate towards Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, with up to 92 per cent less carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel generators
• Spectators actively encouraged through campaigns and discount codes to use public transport or car share as more sustainable transport options
• Park and Plant — for those who did travel by car, there was a charge of AED 50 for parking on site and the event planted three trees for each car
• Digital ticketing and programme reduced paper waste
• Extensive recycling and composting initiatives to reduce waste to landfill
• Along with actions to reduce carbon emissions, credibly offsetting unavoidable emissions via the Rolex Series portfolio with the Gold Standard, supporting the Central Mozambique safe water programme, alongside local Mangrove ecosystem restoration project
• PVC and vinyl from event infrastructure re-used or turned into laptop bags and other products
• 2,000 native Ghaf tree seeds planted across Emirates Golf Club
• Support for Heroes of Hope, introducing people of determination to golf via organised clinics with the Academy at Emirates Golf Club.
• Renewable energy event partner Aggreko won ‘best sustainability initiative’ award for its involvement in Dubai Desert Classic 2022 and 2023 at Middle East Event Awards June 2023.

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Reed nearly chased down McIlroy in a weather-delayed Monday finish, falling one shot short when the Northern Irishman birdied the 18th hole. The pair had squared off on the course previously, notably in a memorable Sunday singles match at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National and the final round at the 2018 Masters, won by Reed. But their latest duel seemed to have some extra spice given the two camps they now occupy.

RELATED: Rory has Reed’s back!
Reed in another rules debate in Dubai

Reed, however, didn’t see it that way. He insists it was an amicable showdown against one of his favourite rivals, even with the lack of pleasantries exchanged between the two early in the week that grabbed so many headlines.

“It was great battling with Rory,” Reed told Golf Digest on Thursday ahead of LIV Golf’s season-opening event at Mayakoba Resort, where he arrives coming off the runner-up in Dubai and a T-25 at the Asian Tour’s Saudi International. “The thing about Dubai is it got blown out proportion, as if it was something horrible between two players when him and I were staying at the same hotel, and both times we saw each other [we said] ‘Hi, how you doing?’ It was normal. Was there probably some gamesmanship? And probably some stuff going on because of a bunch of other stuff? Is there probably some gamesmanship?

“I’ve always had full respect for Rory. I’ve always loved the battles I’ve had against him. I’ve just watched the [2016] Ryder Cup highlights [recently] … they are insane. Same thing at Augusta [during Reed’s 2018 Masters victory] when I was playing with him on the Sunday … there’s nothing better you want as a player trying to win your first major than it being against Rory McIlroy. He was also going for his career grand slam.”

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“I thought it was great for the game,” the six-time major winner said ahead of playing in this week’s Saudi International. “To have that type of interest, and it’s been interest throughout the globe, that’s a really good thing.”

Mickelson was enthralled by the drama at the DP World Tour event, where early in the week Reed approached McIlroy and attempted to say hello but was ignored and subsequently walked away while casting a tee in his direction.

“I think that when you have characters in the game, when you have controversy in the game, I think it creates a lot more excitement, a lot more awareness,” Mickelson said. “What transpired early in the week with Patrick and Rory added to the excitement level.”

That explains, in part, why 52-year-old Mickelson continued his return to Twitter by posting a tongue-in-cheek message after the third round of the weather-interrupted Dubai Desert Classic.

If it was somehow intended to put extra pressure on McIlroy, it didn’t work. McIlroy stared down a determined Reed, who at one stage wrestled the lead from McIlroy. The Northern Irishman birdied the last during Monday’s rain-delayed finish to win by one over the 2018 Masters champion.

“I thought the final round was incredible,” Mickelson said. “Both players played some great golf. Patrick played an incredible final round, and Rory didn’t really have his best stuff throughout the day, but he fought hard for the last two to win, and I think that shows a lot about the kind of champion and player he is.”

Mickelson also predicted more spice this year between golfers who play both LIV and the DP World Tour, such as Reed, Ian Poulter, Abraham Ancer, Sergio Garcia and others. That’s because he thinks a February 6 panel hearing by Sports Resolutions UK., that will determine whether the DP World Tour can uphold its bans on LIV players, will fall in the Saudi-backed LIV circuit’s favour.

“In a couple of weeks, I expect that the LIV players will win their case in the UK, and we’ll open the doors for all players to play on the [DP World] Tour,” Mickelson said. “There’s a very good chance that you’ll have more showdowns, more head-to-head competitions like you saw last week in Dubai, and I think that would be a really good thing for the game.”

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