Celebrating its 35th edition, and still able to claim it’s status as the longest-running event on the DP World Tour outside of continental Europe, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic has now hit the anniversary milestone known around the world as “Jade”.

Often a representational meaning of longevity and successfulness – it’s a perfect representation of the event.

Looking back to 1989 the UAE, and the world, appeared to be a very different place. That same year the World Wide Web was invented, Japan aired the first broadcast of high-definition television and who could forget, Mark James winning the then Karl Litten Desert Classic after a play-off victory over Peter O’Malley!

Since then, the event has had some monumental moments; Rory McIlroy won his first professional event in 2009, aged just 19. Stephen Gallacher became the only back-to-back winner (2013 & 2014). Bryon DeChambeau set the lowest winning tournament score (-24, 2019). Colin Montgomerie hit the “best shot in my career” with his driver off the deck on the par five 18th hole in 1996 en route to victory. Tiger Woods is a two-time champ himself (2006 & 2008) and is 87-under-par for the 29 rounds that he has played on the Majlis course.

The roll of honour also includes 11 different Major champions. They are: Seve Ballesteros (1992), Ernie Els (1994, 02, 05), Fred Couples (1995), José Maria Olazábal (1998), Mark O’Meara (2004), Tiger Woods (2006, 08), Rory McIlroy (2009, 15, 23), Henrik Stenson (2007), Danny Willett (2016), Sergio Garcia (2017) and Bryson DeChambeau (2019). Between them, they have won 35 Major championships, adding to the history of the event.

Throughout the years, this historic event has become more than just a golf tournament for fans to come and watch. Last year the Hero Dubai Desert Classic became the first golf event in the Middle East and first within the DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status.

The distinction is awarded and assured 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.

Commenting on the achievement, Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic said, “We are delighted that the Dubai DesertClassic 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.”

For the 35th edition, several key initiatives are being applied to help deliver its most eco-friendly event yet.

Water stations are dotted around the course. Supplied

The measures will aim to reduce waste and emissions, water consumption and conserve energy in an important year for the UAE as the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’. The UAE Government is at the forefront of driving change having recently hosted the COP 28 Climate Change Conference held in December.

The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is now focused on becoming a carbon neutral event, following the DP World Tour’s announcement that all five of its Rolex Series events will adopt sustainable approach to help reduce carbon footprint and advance climate mitigation.

Solar pannels installed. Supplied

Ahead of the 35th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Junior Dubai Desert Classic will also return with it’s second edition, providing a unique opportunity for young aspiring golfers in the UAE and beyond to gain competitive experience.

Hosted by Hero Dubai Desert Classic in collaboration with Emirates Golf Federation, the youth tournament, which is open to players aged 18 and under, will take place just a few days before golf’s top stars take to the greens of the Majlis course.

As part of the 36-hole tournament, golf’s next generation will each play one round on the famed Faldo and Majlis courses, giving junior 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. What an experience!

2023 Junior Dubai Desert Classic. Supplied

Moving along to the main event! The Hero Dubai Desert Classic, as always, brings with it an A-Class hit-list of global players who visit the emirate. The 2024 edition has a top lineup of stars for the nine million USD event.

World Number Two Rory McIlroy, Open Champion Brian Harman, Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood, fellow World Top 20 player Tyrrell Hatton and PGA TOUR star Cameron Young are all set to tee it up at the iconic Emirates Golf Club for the first Rolex Series event of the 2024 Race to Dubai.

McIlroy will be aiming to create history once more and become the first four-time winner of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic by adding another Dallah trophy to his cabinet after his victories in 2009, 2015 and 2023.

“It meant a lot to lift the Dallah trophy for a third time. I’ve enjoyed a lot of success at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic over the years, so adding another title was the perfect way to start the year (2023).

“I love coming to Dubai and the support we get from fans is always special. I look forward to getting back to Emirates Golf Club in January, and hopefully creating a bit of history.”

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 still managed to find time to make his Ryder Cup debut in Rome in September.

Six-time DP World Tour winner and Jumeirah Golf Estates resident Fleetwood is making his 13th consecutive appearance at the event. Coming fresh off a win at Dubai Creek in the Dubai Invitational last week, the 2017 Race to Dubai champion also rounded out a memorable 2023 season – which included his second Ryder Cup win for Team Europe – with a runner-up finish in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship, as he aims for further success in the United Arab Emirates, following his back-to-back victories in Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018.

“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, the current 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 his fellow countryman Harman in making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut. The 26-year-old, who was named PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year for the 2021/22 season, enjoyed five top ten finishes that season, including runner-up at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and T7 at the Masters, adding to his top three finishes at the US PGA Championship and The Open in 2022.

“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” said Young.

Simon Corkill again commented on the excitement of the players teeing it up, “We are delighted to confirm Rory will return to defend his title and will be striving for a historic fourth win. Our Roll of Honour features an illustrious cast of golf’s most notable names, and I am sure we will have a worthy champion to join this star-studded list and lift the Dallah trophy.

“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 is truly an international tournament with winners coming from 14 different nations across six continents. Let’s hope the next 35 years are as unforgettable and electrifying as the past.

Main image: David Cannon/Getty Images