The reigning Champion Golfer of the Year, Brian Harman, is set to tee it up at the 35th-anniversary edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club this week.

Golf Digest Middle East exclusively spoke to the current World Number Nine, about what his expectations are of the UAE and how life has been for him over the past six months.

Brian, how much are you looking forward to coming to Dubai for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and what have you heard about the city and the United Arab Emirates?

“I’ve admired the event from afar for years and I’m really excited to compete against a great field, on a championship course in an area of the world I’ve wanted to visit.

“My swing coach, Justin Parsons ran the Butch Harmon School at the Els Club Dubai for seven years and has constantly told me what a magnificent place Dubai is. I’m really looking forward to the golf and experiencing the city with my wife.”

What have you heard about the history of the event and its importance in the Middle East?

“The best players of the last 30 years have been champions of this event. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els amongst others. I noticed a number of those guys also won the Claret Jug! So it would be fun to bag that duo like them.

“I’ve also heard from peers of mine that have played how central golf is to the region and this event has been a massive part of the sport in Dubai and its growing success over the last 30 years.”

Fred Couples, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau are the only Americans who have lifted the trophy in its 35-year history, what would it mean to add your name amongst theirs?

“Well first it would mean I played my absolute best and topped an incredible Rolex Series field of players. I play to win golf tournaments; I won a global event in 2023 at the Open Championship and I’ve felt an immense sense of pride with being the champion of arguably the best golf tournament in the world.

“I want to build on that win and my success last year and that means being successful not only on the PGA Tour, but around the world against the world’s best.”

The Majlis greens have been re-modelled with Bermuda TifEagle – Emirates Golf Club

What do you know about the challenges that the Majlis course will offer, do you think it will suit your game?

“From what I know, the weather is generally good, as is scoring. Finding fairways and accuracy is a great strength of mine, so I hope this will allow me to hit plenty of drivers and be aggressive.

“There are good scoring opportunities, particularly on the back nine where there are three par fives. My fairway wood play is also generally a strength, so I am hoping to take advantage of those.”

The greens were re-modelled a few years ago with Bermuda TifEagle, with that being used across the Southern States in America, that must be a plus for you? Can you also explain what it is about that grass that is so specific?

“I love Bermuda grass.  I think I speak for most professional golfers in that we’re most comfortable with what we are familiar with. I grew up in the South, never moved and then went to the University of Georgia.

“My strategy on Bermuda is to always select the correct shot and I am generally comfortable into or down grain as I’m used to it, I can alter the delivery of the club or my interaction with the grass which is always one of my feels that I bring around the greens.”

David Cannon – Getty Images

Looking back to last summer and your maiden major title at the Open Championship, how did you approach the final day with a five-shot lead?

“I tried to approach things the same way I did for the previous three rounds. I played some good golf the week prior on the DP World Tour at the Genesis Scottish Open and found myself in contention starting Sunday. But we had some poor weather and I didn’t handle that situation well. I believe that helped me seven days later though.

“I couldn’t help but feel like time stood still Saturday and Sunday, playing later in the day, a lot of time to think and a lot of time between shots, your mind wants to speed things up and I wasn’t perfect, but I fought those outcome thoughts and handled early adversity both days on the weekend.

“It’s cliché, but my process had built a five shot lead through three rounds and I was not going to allow myself to stray from what got me into that position.”

Hopefully the weather won’t be as damp in Dubai as it was on that Sunday at Royal Liverpool, how much of a challenge was that on the final day?

“It was as much of a challenge as you will allow it to be. I knew the conditions were going to be miserable, I was ready for that and played in some pretty heavy rain on Tuesday. No different than avoiding thoughts of what could happen, etc.

“I tried not to get too caught up in the weather and how it affected us versus the field, those thoughts are not productive. 

“I knew it would be hard for someone to go out and shoot a real low one on Sunday, so I felt a sense of control over doing my job and things taking care of themselves. My caddie Scott Tway and I were under that umbrella a lot in our own little world, and we were the happiest two guys in the rain Sunday at Hoylake.”

Dylan Buell – Getty Images

You put on a putting masterclass throughout not only the final day but the whole week, is that the most confident part of your game?

“I have always been confident with the putter in my hands, I’ve enjoyed some big moments on the greens throughout my career, junior golf, amateur golf, and those moments stay with you forever. 

“Playing the week before at the Genesis Scottish Open helped me get acclimatised, it’s not just green speed and contours, it’s getting used to the wind blowing every putt, etc.

“I was comfortable when I got on the greens at Hoylake during my practice rounds with the speed, I was seeing the lines well and that never changed throughout the week.

“I don’t know if it’s the most confident part of my game, but I love having the putter in my hand when it matters most!”

Charlie Crowhurst – Getty Images

You seem like a relaxed guy – how has your life changed since the Open win?

“I’m reminded of the win every single day, and I embrace every aspect that has come with the Claret Jug! Being the Open Champion is the greatest professional responsibility of my career thus far, and it’s been a great blessing.

“Fans have been amazing, I’m noticed in places and I’m not used to it, I’ve signed more flags than I can count, but the ultimate reward has been the recognition & respect from my peers.” 

Main image: Tracy Wilcox – Getty Images