The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has been a staple of the DP World Tour schedule since 1989.
Dubai, as a holiday destination and golf world, has changed significantly since then. Tall buildings dominate the horizons of many holes at Emirates Golf Club where this particular event is held.
This event has been won by some of the best European golfers to pick up a club including Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson, as well as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Fred Couples.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the first Rolex Series Event of the 2025 season which means it has an elevated purse of $9 million and a top field to boot. McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood will all tee it up.
This event is the first of five in the Rolex Series and the first regular stroke play event of 2025 on what used to be called the European Tour, following the Team Cup which is a team match play event.
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Dubai Desert Classic Preview 2025
Venue: Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
Date: January 16-19, 2025
Course stats: Par 72; 7428 yards
Purse: $9 million
Defending champion: Rory McIlroy (-14)
How to watch Dubai Desert Classic 2025
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf from 4 am and Sky Sports Main Event from 4 am
Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 4 am and Sky Sports Main Event from 4 am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 4 am and Sky Sports Main Event from 5.30 am
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 4 am and Sky Sports Main Event from 4.30 am
ALSO: DP World Tour schedule 2025
Where is the Dubai Desert Classic played?
Emirates Golf Club is used for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and it has been since 1989. The Majlis course at the venue is used, but this hasn’t always been the site of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club was used in 1999 and 2000, events won by David Howell and Jose Coceres. It was the first European Tour event to be held in the Arabain Peninsula, but this is somewhat of a regularity now.
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Who won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2024?
Rory McIlroy won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic for the fourth time in 2024. The Northern Irishman carded a final-round score of two-under-par to beat Adrian Meronk by one shot.
McIlroy went on to win the Race to Dubai for the third time in a row and the sixth time in his career.
When is the Dubai Desert Classic?
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic is played from January 16 to 19 in 2025. It has become the curtain-raiser in the calendar year for the DP World Tour and often features a strong field of European, international and some American stars.
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