The field at this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic features an impressive array of runners, including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Akshay Bhatia, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Min Woo Lee, Robert MacIntyre, and Adam Scott, all vying for a slice of the $9 million prize pot.
Dubai-resident Fleetwood, will be making his 14th consecutive appearance at the Majlis Course, as the Englishman, who has enjoyed weighty success in the UAE with back-to-back titles in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018, is eager to keep the momentum going.
“I always enjoy starting my season in the Middle East, and having played the Hero Dubai Desert Classic every year since I came out on Tour, it’s become a tournament that I love,” Fleetwood said. “I absolutely love the golf course. I just haven’t managed to put myself in a position to contend for this tournament yet but I will continue to try.”
Joining him is Scotland’s highest-ranked golfer, Robert MacIntyre. With two top-10 finishes in four previous appearances in this event, MacIntyre is hopeful that his history at Emirates Golf Club will help him to a strong start in the 2025 season.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the Emirates Golf Club in January,” MacIntyre said. “It’s a place where I’ve played well before, and it would be great to start the new season with another strong performance.”
Tyrrell Hatton, who secured his seventh DP World Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October, is also teeing it up. With four top-10 finishes at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and a triumph in Abu Dhabi in 2021, Hatton knows what it takes to succeed in the Middle East and is looking to collect his fifth Rolex Series title.
“I always enjoy coming to Dubai and playing at the Emirates Golf Club,” Hatton shared. “I’ve had success in the region before, so I’m excited to get 2025 off to a strong start in the desert.”
The 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott, is a two-time winner in Qatar and after a tied third-place in November’s DP World Tour Championship, the Australian (above) is strongly eager to build on that form at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic this week.
“It’s always been an enjoyable experience when I’ve been able to add the Hero Dubai Desert Classic to my early season schedule,” Scott said. “I’ll be aiming to continue the good form I ended 2024 with and see how far it takes me.”
Rising American star Akshay Bhatia (below) is making his debut at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The decorated amateur, turned professional in 2019 and has already notched victories on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR, including the 2023 Barracuda Championship and the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
“Having the opportunity to bring my game overseas is really cool,” Bhatia said. “Add in the likes of Rory and Rahm, and you’ve got such a great field, so I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m excited to be part of those guys.”
With an impressive cast of contenders ready to make their move, the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic is set up to be one of the most exciting editions of the event to date.
