Stars from across the golfing world will join defending champion Rory McIlroy as the best field the event has witnessed in recent memory gathers to contest the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at the iconic Emirates Golf Club from January 16-19.
The four-time Major winner and reigning European Number One will tee it up at the first Rolex Series event of the 2025 Race to Dubai alongside global stars including fellow Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion Viktor Hovland, who returns to the Majlis Course for the first time since his 2022 victory.
The duo will be joined by their Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm – with the double Major winner making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut – Olympic Silver Medallist Tommy Fleetwood, Rolex Series winners Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Højgaard and Tyrrell Hatton, as well as European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald.
Major champions in the field include Pádraig Harrington, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott and Jimmy Walker, while further Rolex Series winners Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, Thomas Pieters and Dubai resident Paul Waring – who triumphed in Abu Dhabi in November – will also vie for the famous Dallah trophy.
WHO WILL BE MAKING THEIR DEBUTS
Amongst those making their Hero Dubai Desert Classic debuts are two-time PGA TOUR winner Akshay Bhatia, and American Amateur David Ford, who earned his place as the number one player in the PGA TOUR University Ranking. Ford is joined by fellow 2023 Walker Cup player Preston Summerhays, underlining the HDDC’s vision of creating a pathway for young players to gain valuable experience at the highest evel.
Further DP World Tour winners in the field include Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard – who pipped McIlroy at the Amgen Irish Open to seal his fifth title and finished second to the Northern Irishman in the 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings – and a host of players joining him at the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi this week – Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace, Matt Jordan, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Niklas Norgaard, Thorbjørn Olesen and Romain Langasque.
FREE ADMISSION
As well as FREE general admission tickets and a limited remaining number of hospitality options, the 2025 event sees the launch of a brand-new ticket option – The Social on Sixteen. Situated in the popular vantage point overlooking the 16th green of the Majlis Course, the new package is sure to tantalise fans who love to catch the action while enjoying a day of fun socialising with friends. The new package, which is inclusive of 4 hours of beverages and premium casual dining options, represents great value, with tickets available from just AED 695.
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, commented:
“We’re absolutely delighted that this year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic boasts the strongest and most exciting field we’ve witnessed in many years. From Major champions and Ryder Cup stars to emerging talents making their debut, the 2025 edition promises unforgettable moments for players and fans alike. As the first Rolex Series event of the season, the tournament continues to set the benchmark for world-class golf, offering a truly spectacular start to the Race to Dubai.”
HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT
Established in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the oldest golf competition in the Middle East and next year’s event will be the 36th edition of the tournament. A key fixture on the DP World Tour and a part of the esteemed Rolex Series, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was instrumental in introducing golf to the Middle East and producing some of the sport’s most memorable moments. The 2025 event will mark its second consecutive year being GEO Certified®, having become the only tournament to do so in the Middle East and on the DP World Tour Rolex Series.
For more information, or to secure FREE general admission tickets, or purchase premium experience packages, please visit: www.dubaidesertclassic.com and download the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app to retrieve tickets, available now on App Store or Google Play.
