Bryson DeChambeau is facing wrist pain and withdraws from the Sony Open. (Photo: Getty)
The World number eight golfer Bryson DeChambeau will not play in the 2022 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu next weekend. DeChambeau’s manager announced this last-minute decision to golfchannel.com on Monday January the 10th of 2022. And the PGA Tour also confirmed via Twitter that the tour’s long hitter will not play in the second tournament of the Hawaii Swing.
Health problems prevent participation
Bryson DeChambeau, however, is not sitting out entirely by choice. The technical fanatic is struggling with wrist pain, according to this PGA Tour post.
Bryson DeChambeau has withdrawn from the Sony Open in Hawaii due to wrist soreness.
Last weekend, he finished 25th at the Tournament of Champions, which is unusually down in the leaderboard for him, since the total participants was not larger than 40. For the last round, DeChambeau shot one-under-par round, and thus fell far short of expectations. His manager Brett Falkoff told Golf Channel that DeChambeau’s wrist had flared up again in the recent weeks and that he was not ready to play more tournaments back-to-back as he had originally hoped.
Long break for Bryson DeChambeau
“The Hulk” has only played in one official Tour tournament in the last three months and has otherwise kept a low profile. He played well in the Hero World Challenge in December, but there was little else to report from DeChambeau in terms of golf. He was supposed to attend to a press event at the Saudi International on Monday, for the tenth of January 2022 that also had to be postponed indefinitely. After his cancellation of the Sony Open 2022, Bryson DeChambeau will probably not plan to be back on the field again until the Saudi International, which will take place on February 3rd, 2022.
Honorary Starter Lee Elder of the United States (L), honorary starter and Masters champion Gary Player of South Africa and honorary starter and Masters champion Jack Nicklaus
It’s not always “peace, joy, pancakes”. Snotty professionals, aggressive slips or inappropriate actions also find a place in golf. There has definitely been reason for excitement this year – one or two situations will definitely stick in the memory. If not, here is a summary of the biggest upsets in golf of 2021.
Justin Thomas’ homophobic gaffe
Justin Thomas kicks things off. He slipped out a homophobic insult at the Tournament of Champions in January. Not against a teammate, not against a referee – but against himself. He was angry about a missed 2-metre putt. Immediately after the round, Thomas apologised in an interview and on his social media channels for his ill-considered curse. Nevertheless, the slip had consequences for the golfer: his sponsor Ralph Lauren parted ways with him. His apology was acknowledged, but the statement could not be reconciled with the values that the company represents.
Tyrrell Hatton goes one better
Things did not go as hoped for Tyrrell Hatton at the British Open in July 2021. A spectator interfered with Hatton’s bogey putt on the 11th hole, whereupon the Englishman recorded a double bogey. Hatton promptly took his displeasure out on the spectator: He received a raised middle finger and the words “Absolutely fucking bollocks!” The spectator was not the only one to suffer on this day. At the 18, Hatton’s bat had to be destroyed.
The fans also fire verbally
The beef between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka is unlikely to have passed anyone by this year. Shouts also play a role in this dispute: Bryson DeChambeau, for example, was distracted by “Brooksy” shouts from Koepka fans in a tournament. Koepka, not present at the tournament himself, promptly responded to the extraordinary support of his fans and promised them free beer as a thank you. This story is just a small drop in the ocean in the dispute between DeChambeau and Koepka, who fought out their feud in “The Match V”.
*link dispute review
Every year again: Respect is a foreign word for American Ryder Cup fans
The Americans not only celebrated their own team at the Ryder Cup by cheering and applauding, but also tried to upset the opposing Europeans by disrespectful booing and insults. They cheered failed shots, shouted in the swing between them and wished the blue team balls in the water. Despite Steve Stricker’s appeal to the Americans to greet the Europeans with respect, the hosts’ fans did not mince their words. Unfortunately, not an isolated case at the Ryder Cup!
Brooks Koepka also had to contend with rebellious fans this year
Only a few weeks after a knee operation, Brooks Koepka competed at the PGA Championship. He was in the last flight together with Phil Mickelson and on his way to the 18th green. The fans, who naturally wanted to be especially close to their idols, scared Koepka. He was worried about his recently operated knee. The spectators came so close to the golf star that it was not easy to get through to the green. The American even suspected some fans of deliberately targeting his knee.
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s ex-lawyer, shocks with sexist remark
In 2014, Rudy Giuliani won a charity tournament with Ernie Els alongside Michelle Wie. Seven years later, in 2021, he is reviving memories of the tournament. Not in a good way, though. In a podcast, Giuliani revealed that he noticed the “stunning” Michelle Wie’s panties as she putted that day. The paparazzi, he said, went crazy for a photo of them. Wie reacted quickly to this sexist remark: with a strong statement on Twitter she condemned the inappropriate remark and got support from the USGA and LPGA. Definitely one of the biggest upsets in golf, and the least proud moments for missing the essence of sport at its fullest.
Banned from Augusta? Gary Player’s son knows the drill
There was another upset at the opening ceremony at the 85th Masters. Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Lee Elder were invited as honorary starters. The latter had to take part in the welcoming ceremony sitting down for health reasons. Standing diagonally behind him was Gary Player’s son and caddie, Wayne. He shamelessly took advantage of the moving ceremony: He held the inscription of a badge into the camera for several minutes – obviously this could not be a coincidence. What followed? A ban from Augusta. Wayne Player’s explanation of the situation? More than strange.
Player Impact Programme – Even more money for those with the most money
This year, a bonus programme was launched on the PGA Tour, the principle of which is rather questionable. It is not meant to reward a good playing performance, but to be a prize for special media impact. Players with this special media impact – for example Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Rory McIlroy – are to receive a reward for drawing the crowds and increasing golf’s audience. A total sum of 40 million dollars is to be awarded to the stars. Even more money for those who already have the most? This causes incomprehension.
NRW Health Minister Laumann causes outrage
Recently, NRW Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann caused an uproar in the German health system as well as in the German golf market. In the wake of rising Corona numbers, he called on family doctors to invest more time in vaccination. His choice of words was more than daring. “Instead of golf on Saturday, vaccinate on Saturday,” were his words, with which he not only stepped on the toes of people from the health sector, but also of golfers. DGV President Claus Kobold did not take the flippant remark lying down for long and promptly responded with a quick-witted statement.
Cameron Smith wins the PGA Tour Tournament of Champions. (Photo: Getty)
Cameron Smith started the new tournament year with a bang. He wins the PGA Tour’s Sentry Tournament of Champions on Maui with 34 strokes under par, one shot ahead of Jon Rahm. It is the lowest under-par score in PGA Tour history and marks Smith’s fourth win on Tour. Previously, Ernie Els held the record with 31 strokes under par.
Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith started the fourth round with a five-stroke lead, but that didn’t mean they could rest on it as Matt Jones came from behind with a round of 61, the course record set the day before by Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm. Jones eliminated the lead and ended up third, just one stroke behind Jon Rahm.
PGA Tour: Cameron Smith beats world No. 1
Smith and Rahm went head-to-head on Moving Day at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, and the final was to be no less exciting. Smith gained a small lead over Rahm on the first nine, which could have been null and void on the last holes if Rahm had been able to hole his eagle attempt on the 18th from 15 metres, which he did not do, or if Smith had not been able to follow up with the birdie. But with a sure hand he sank his putt on the 18th green against the world No 1. “Rahm is the best golfer in the world and there are a lot of reasons why,” Smith said after his round. “He puts the ball on the flag and seems to sink every putt he looks at. It was nice to top that and hit it back.”
Smith had been in the lead since the start of the tournament, alone for the first two rounds, then sharing the lead with Rahm. “Being the leader is not easy. Sleepless nights. I spent a lot of time this week staring out of bed at the ceiling. I never had that before. But it was nice to see that my game is on par with the best players in the world.”
His goal for the year, to make it into the world’s top 10, has also been taken care of.
Big names on the big stage! Defending Champions Tyrell Hatton must stand up to big-name opponents in january.
Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton will be joined at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by fellow former winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood as the latest star players set to arrive at Yas Island for the opening Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season, from January 20-23.
The quartet will be joined at Yas Links Abu Dhabi by their Ryder Cup team-mates Viktor Hovland, Ian Poulter and Bernd Wiesberger and their 2020 Captain Pádraig Harrington. Former Masters Champions Adam Scott and Danny Willett also return to the Emirate, with 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson looking to add another victory in the Desert to his impressive resume.
Hatton became just the second player to claim four Rolex Series titles after a flawless performance in Abu Dhabi last year which saw him overturn the overnight lead of four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy to clinch a four-stroke victory.
The World Number 22 will defend the prestigious falcon trophy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi, where Northern Irishman McIlroy will tee off his 2022 season and recently crowned DP World Tour Number One and two-time Major Champion Collin Morikawa will make his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship debut – the duo having already committed to back-to-back events in the UAE.
“Abu Dhabi was a crucial win for me in January,” said Hatton, a two-time Ryder Cup player. “It was my sixth Tour victory, and I was incredibly proud to join such an illustrious list of champions. It was without doubt the perfect start to my 2021 season.
“I’m excited to defend my trophy at Yas Links Abu Dhabi. It’s great to be at a new, world class venue and I know it will be a fantastic week with a stellar field.”
“I always love starting my season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and that is reflected by my results there down the years,” said two-time winner Fleetwood. “It is set to be a great week at Yas Links, which is a great venue worthy of an event of this stature.”
Lowry added: “I’m really looking forward to starting my season in Abu Dhabi once again. I obviously have very fond memories of this event and there is always a great vibe as the year gets underway with great weather, a strong field and a lively atmosphere among the fans.”
“I can’t wait to get to Yas Links as it hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship for the first time, said two-time Rolex Series winner Westwood. “It’s a course I really enjoy and hopefully that, along with the memories of my win in Abu Dhabi in 2020, can help me put in a strong performance and put myself in contention come Sunday.”
Scott, the 2013 Masters Tournament champion, has also confirmed his return to Abu Dhabi, making his first appearance at the tournament since 2008. The 41-year-old will tee it up in the 17th edition of the event as it moves to one of the world’s fastest growing leisure and entertainment destinations in Abu Dhabi.
The former World Number One is an 11-time Tour winner having claimed several titles in the Middle East and most recently securing the Australia PGA Championship, but his greatest victory so far came nine years ago at Augusta National. He birdied the 72nd hole to force a play-off with 2009 champion Angel Cabrera before birdieing the second extra hole to become the first Australian to wear the coveted Green Jacket.
His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome back our defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, along with our most recent tournament winners Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood to the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“As we move our distinguished Championship to Yas Island for the first time, we are looking forward to showcasing the magnificent Yas Links golf course, the incredible facilities on offer for players and spectators alike, plus the stellar field of world class golfers kicking off an exciting year of sport in the UAE.”
Phil Mickelson claims PIP-win on Twitter. (Photo: Getty)
Phil Mickelson puts on a great show on and off the golf course in 2021. Mickelson made history as the oldest major winner at the PGA Championship and “Lefty” also showed off his talent as an entertainer on Twitter. So it wouldn’t come as a surprise to many if he won the PGA Tour’s Players Impact Program (PIP). But his victory has not yet been officially confirmed.
I’d like to thank all the crazies (and real supporters too) for………………… Helping me win the PiP!! To get the 2nd half of the money I have to add an event I haven’t played in awhile. See you in Kapalua😘 🏌️♂️🏄♂️🏊 P.S. I’ll try and find another hot controversial topic soon👍
The PIP rewards the ten players on the PGA Tour who “add the most value to the brand”. Phil Mickelson may have scored some points there with his thoroughly provocative tweets. But as Golfweek reported, the evaluation for this special annual ranking does not end until 31 December. In addition, the result must also be confirmed by an independent auditor. Thus, no final ranking can be determined yet. In addition, the PGA Tour does not want to publish the results of the PIP, but only announces them in an internal memo to the players. According to the PGA, this will happen in February at the earliest.
More money for the PGA Tour stars
If the incredible sum of 40 million dollars already brought displeasure to some this year, next year’s PIP will even more so. In addition to the hullabaloo over Phil “Lefty” Mickelson and his potential win of the programme, the PGA also announced an increase in the prize pot to a whopping 50 million dollars.
As part of the new agreement, the Hawaii-based brand, Maui Jim, not only renowned for their superior lens technology and premium collections. But also, it will supply eyewear to DP World Tour staff working at events across the world.
Benefiting from global marketing rights as well as an onsite presence at several tournaments throughout the season. The agreement will also enable Maui Jim to further engage with golf fans around the world across traditional news media and digital platforms.
Besides being the Official Eyewear Supplier to the DP World Tour, Maui Jim will also become the Official Eyewear Supplier to two Rolex Series events each season. The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in the UK, and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
The brand is already a familiar site in professional golf, with brand ambassadors including professionals such as Miguel Angel Jimenez and Jorge Campillo.
About Maui Jim
Invented more than 30 years ago to combat the harsh rays of the Hawaiian sun. All Maui Jim sunglasses cut 100 percent of harmful UV rays and 99.9 percent of glare from above, below and behind each lens.
Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2® lenses increase definition and depth perception. This is particularly important for golf, and can be found in a wide variety sport and casual styles for both men and women.
Martijn Van Eerde – Senior Director, Marketing EMEA & APAC of Maui Jim.
“We take great pride in the renewal of our partnership. In 2019 we boosted our presence in golf by becoming official supplier of the Tour. A relationship that quickly proved to work very well. Therefore, we immediately saw a great fit between our teams and culture. The pandemic of course abruptly interrupted progress. However, now we feel very fortunate to be able resume our joint efforts with this milestone agreement.
Golfers around the world, as well as many working in and around the sport, can benefit greatly from using our products and technology. We look forward to working with the European Tour group across the DP World Tour. As well as to further develop that potential alongside our efforts in tennis, Formula 1, SailGP and of course Manchester United partnerships.”
Max Hamilton – Commercial Director at the European Tour group.
“We’re delighted to welcome Maui Jim as our Official Eyewear Supplier. Also excited to see their products in use by our teams across the world during the new DP World Tour season. The brand is premium, high tech, and globally minded. Therefore, this partnership felt like a perfect fit for both parties. We look forward to promoting the brand to golf fans through a series of digital and tournament specific activations.”
Press Release by European Tour Group Communications
Just under ten months after being seriously injured in a car accident, Tiger Woods has confirmed his participation in the PGA Tour’s upcoming family tournament, the PNC Championship. Tiger will play in with his son Charlie. At the time, the 45-year-old Woods suffered serious leg injuries and his comeback to the Tour was far from becoming a reality.
PNC Championship kept Woods’ tournament place free
In mid-November, Tiger Woods reported back via Instagram with a swing video and wrote that he was “making progress“. More and more swing videos came after that and, in mid-November, the news suprised the fans once again for good. Tiger Woods and his son Charlie would count with a spot in the limited tournament field of the PNC Championship. As host of the Hero World Challenge, the 15-time major winner also showed up on the driving range several times. Contrary to the previous videos, the social media witnessed Tiger hitting his driver. That is for sure one way to know that the grind continues.
During an interview, he confirmed that he plans to return to professional golf, but ruled out a full-time comeback on the PGA Tour. “I think it’s realistic to play on the Tour one day. Never full-time again, but just selectively, like Mr [Ben] Hogan did. You pick a few events a year and play around them.” Tiger explained. It was an “unfortunate reality” but one that he understood and accepted.
Tiger concludes a challenging year
After a long healing process, Woods finally decided to make his comeback to the golf stage at the PNC Championship, a family tournament in Florida. The 45-year-old shared his decision on Twitter. Woods said that although it has been a “challenging year” for him, he is “excited to end it by playing in the PNC Championship.” Also, he added that he will be playing the tournament as a “Dad and he couldn’t be more excited and proud.” His teammate Bryson DeChambeau as well as many other fellow golfers also wanted to show happiness for Tiger’s great news.
The European Tour group’s Golf for Good raised a total of £125,000 for UNICEF through its season-long ‘Every Birdie Counts’ campaign. The campaign, supporting UNICEF’s work as part of the COVAX Facility, raised sufficient funds to help the children’s charity. The did so by delivering 50,000 vaccines to some of the world’s most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach nations.
‘Every Birdie Counts’ is an integral part of the European Tour group’s overarching CSR Programme ‘Golf for Good’ during the 2021 season. Also, it raised a minimum of €1 for UNICEF for every single birdie made during the campaign, with €10 donated for every eagle and €1,000 for every albatross.
DP World Tour Championship boosted up the total.
The season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai gave a significant ‘Birdie Boost’ to those numbers. Then, the European Tour group’s Golf for Good pledged €75 for every birdie made at the final Rolex Series event of the season. This was to mark UNICEF’s milestone 75th anniversary as well as World Children’s Day, which coincided with day three of the prestigious tournament.
There was a total of €77,451 raised prior to the finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates, thanks to 57,641 birdies, 1,681 eagles and three albatrosses across a season which began with January’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The DP World Tour Championship, meanwhile, yielded 862 birdies and 19 eagles, raising a total of €66,550 in a brilliant week for Collin Morikawa. Morikawa claimed the title in a dramatic fashion, becoming the first American golfer in the history of the DP World Tour to top the season-long rankings.
The European Tour group’s Golf for Good rounded up the total from approximately £121,250 to £125,000. Of course, the full amount will support UNICEF’s work as part of the COVAX Facility, and its aim of delivering three billion vaccines globally.
Supporting the UNICEF work.
UNICEF is leading the end-to-end supply of vaccines, as well as providing tests and treatments, in low-and middle-income countries. For instance, UNICEF focuses the aim to deliver three billion doses of vaccines in 2021 for frontline health workers, social workers, teachers and those at highest risk.
UNICEF
The commitment of Paul Casey with the cause.
Paul Casey, a 15-time DP World Tour winner and UNICEF USA Supporter, said: “It’s unbelievable what the European Tour group and Golf for Good have done. So much is talked about what we do on the golf course, but I don’t think enough is mentioned about what goes on for every community and country we visit.”
“In this case, it’s the global reach – partnering with UNICEF and £125,000 will go so far in assisting UNICEF’s work as part of the COVAX Facility, rolling out COVID-19 vaccines around the world. I couldn’t be more proud. Things like this make me proud of being part of the DP World Tour.”
“As a father, children are my primary focus when it comes to charity. It was World Children’s Day on Saturday during the final tournament, so I think this is very timely. You have a right as a human being to have access to certain things and children are always the most vulnerable. I tip my cap to all of those involved in getting this off the ground.”
The European Tour shows full support with the most vulnerable.
Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour group, said: “We are proud to have partnered with UNICEF in their 75th anniversary year, by supporting their work as part of the COVAX Facility though our ‘Every Birdie Counts’ campaign.”
“As a global tour we committed to supporting communities and worthy causes around the world. Therefore, to that end, this donation is a fitting end to our 2021 Golf for Good campaign. It will provide enough funding to help deliver 50,000 vaccinations to some of the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach nations on earth.”
“It was also fitting that the ‘Every Birdie Counts’ campaign should finish with such a flourish at an event sponsored by our new tour title partners DP World. They have been supporting UNICEF in the logistics and delivery of the vaccine globally. Our sincerest thanks to UNICEF, DP World and of course all of our players who, through their wonderful golf all season, helped make this happen.”
UNICEF is one step closer to accomplish its mission.
Steven Waugh, Interim Executive Director of the UK Committee for UNICEF said: “If we have learned anything from the coronavirus crisis, it is that our lives are interconnected. COVID-19 does not respect borders. At UNICEF, we know that if we only protect high-income countries, life will not return to normal. If COVID-19 is spreading anywhere, it’s a risk to people everywhere.”
“As part of COVAX, UNICEF is leading the biggest health and logistics operation in history to procure and deliver vaccines. A total of 3 billion vaccines around the world by the end of 2021. In order to achieve this historic mission, we need the help of our supporters and partners.”
“I would like to share my sincere thanks to everyone at the European Tour group, who have helped raised an incredible amount for UNICEF’s work around the world. Your support means that we can help deliver 50,000 vaccinations in low- and middle- income countries around the world.”
Press Release by the European Tour Group Communications Team.
New official reports highlight great golf participation growth across Europe. According to the EGA (European Golf Association) reports, there are currently 10.6 Million golfers playing the sport among The R&A’s European Affiliates and in the EGA members’ markets, a healthy increase from the 7.9 million last monitored for 2016.
Since the pandemic, the sport fans had to get used to follow their favorite sports through the screen. Teams and organizers suffered the hard consequences economically speaking because of the decreasing number of affiliates. However, golf has come out stronger, and the reason is simple – The players are outside, it is easy to keep the social distance at all times, and it reconnects you with the world after a global lockdown.
Golf Participation Growth in Sweden
Markets with a greater proportion of registered golfers include Spain and Sweden (10% independent / 90% registered). “We believe that counting independent golfers together with those who are registered as club members gives a more accurate view of the total number of golfers playing on a full-length course each year and reflects how the sport is being consumed from country to country.” – Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A.
Since 2019, Swedish golf participation increased by 54.6k golfers. Reports situate Sweden 3rd in the leaderboard of countries with the highest number of new registered golfers. Nowadays, there are 600,000 golfers in Sweden and 650 courses. Due to the rapid increment of new participants, the course demand has also grown. This is a gap to cover that could potentially pump up the National federations and Organizations to continue to expand the interest in golf among the Swedish population.
Women’s and Junior Participation – The biggest increment
Regarding women’s golf, there’s also a clear increase in Europe. Only in Sweden, the female participation increased by 27%, which translates into 129,949 new golfers. The sport of golf almost benefit from the global Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, there’s no denying that this is an unique opportunity to mediatise women’s golf and make more visible the quality among women golfers.
The Swedish are well-known for inculcating sports education in children from an early age. There’s also a reflection of that on the new reports by the R&A. Sweden leads the top of the list of European countries that has increased the number of junior participation. The junior enrolment has risen by 11%, or in other words, 61,839 new kids practice now the sport of golf. Junior participation is specially important because it represents the quarry of the future national teams.
Rory McIlroy commits to Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.(Getty Images)
Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy is returning to Emirates Golf Club in January 2022 in a bid to win his third Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic title. McIlroy will be looking to add to his impressive record in Dubai. This will be the second Rolex Series event of the 2022 DP World Tour season.
The Northern Irishman returns at the event for the first time since 2018. Then, he came close to adding to the titles he won in 2009 and 2015. McIlroy finished just one shot behind winner Li Haotong. Rory has an enviable record over the Majlis Course with a further six top-ten finishes in 11 previous appearances.
The 32-year-old has enjoyed many memorable moments in Dubai throughout his illustrious career, winning the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in 2012 and 2015. Furthermore, he topped the season-long DP World Rankings three times – in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
McIlroy adds further star power to an elite field at the 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, which includes World Number Two and newly-crowned DP World Rankings winner Collin Morikawa. Also, fellow Major winner and 2017 Dubai Desert Classic winner Sergio Garcia, and defending champion Paul Casey.
About the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic
Slync.io, the logistics technology provider that is revolutionising the way global logistics works, will debut its new title partnership of the iconic event in 2022. This is also the first year the Dubai Desert Classic will climb up to Rolex Series status. Therefore, the event becomes part of the DP World Tour’s premium series of events.
The 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic will be the second of back-to-back Rolex Series events in the region, following the season-opener in Abu Dhabi. These tournaments in January form part of the traditional ‘Desert Swing’ and attract the sport’s leading players.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in 2022.” – McIlroy.
“I have so many wonderful memories from playing in Dubai over the years, and particularly over the Majlis Course. I’ve been able to win twice there. I look forward to coming back to Dubai and aiming to get my hands on that incredible trophy again.”
“As a fan of golf, it’s important that we bring a field that other fans will enjoy.” – Chris Kirchner, Chairman and CEO of Slync.io stated. “Rory is one of my favourite players. I’m thrilled to have him as part of the inaugural title partnership for Slync.io.”
Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic Executive Board welcome their new star McIlroy
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director, Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, added: “The addition of Rory McIlroy to an already strong field emphasises the pedigree of this golf tournament. As one of the most talented golfers in the world, he brings plenty of energy and excitement to the historic event. We look forward to seeing Rory battle it out with Collin Morikawa, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and others in a truly world-class field at this year’s event.”
Organisers confirmed that general entry to the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic will be free to all over the four days. Corkill continued: “With the UAE set to celebrate its Golden Jubilee… We are delighted to announce that entry will be free for everyone over the duration of the tournament.”
“We made the decision in recognition of this special moment in the UAE’s history. While also giving something back to sports fans near and far. What better way to celebrate than through a truly global sporting event which everyone can enjoy.”
A little bit of history about it…
Founded in 1989, some of golf’s greatest names won the event. Including Major Champions Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, and Jose Maria Olazábal. Also, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau.
The winner’s circle over the past 32 years has also featured Ryder Cup stars. Mark James, the inaugural champion in 1989, Eamonn Darcy, Colin Montgomerie, David Howell, Thomas Bjørn, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Stephen Gallacher.
The tournament is now set for an even brighter future with the support of Slync.io and Rolex.
