Star-Studded Field Set for 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic

TDT | Dubai

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The 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic is gearing up to host one of its most impressive lineups in recent memory, with a stellar roster of golfing superstars set to compete at the iconic Emirates Golf Club from January 16-19.

Leading the charge is defending champion Rory McIlroy, the four-time Major winner and reigning European Number One, who will tee off at the first Rolex Series event of the 2025 Race to Dubai. Joining McIlroy is a star-studded field that includes fellow Hero Dubai Desert Classic champion Viktor Hovland, returning to the Majlis Course for the first time since his 2022 victory.

Ryder Cup teammates will also highlight the competition, including two-time Major winner Jon Rahm, making his Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut, Olympic Silver Medallist Tommy Fleetwood, and Rolex Series winners Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Højgaard, and Tyrrell Hatton. European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald will also compete.

The event will feature an array of Major champions, including Pádraig Harrington, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, and Jimmy Walker, alongside other Rolex Series winners such as Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, Thomas Pieters, and Dubai resident Paul Waring, fresh from his Abu Dhabi triumph in November.

Newcomers to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic include rising stars Akshay Bhatia, a two-time PGA TOUR winner, and David Ford, the top-ranked player in the PGA TOUR University Ranking. Ford will be joined by fellow 2023 Walker Cup participant Preston Summerhays, exemplifying the tournament's commitment to nurturing emerging talent.

Additional contenders include Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, who narrowly missed the top spot in the 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, and a cohort of DP World Tour players such as Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Romain Langasque.

Fans can look forward to enhanced experiences, including free general admission tickets and the introduction of "The Social on Sixteen," a premium hospitality option overlooking the 16th green. This new package offers four hours of beverages and upscale dining, with tickets starting at AED 695.

Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, expressed excitement about the upcoming event. “We’re absolutely delighted that this year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic boasts the strongest and most exciting field we’ve witnessed in many years. From Major champions and Ryder Cup stars to emerging talents making their debut, the 2025 edition promises unforgettable moments for players and fans alike. As the first Rolex Series event of the season, the tournament continues to set the benchmark for world-class golf.”

Established in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the Middle East’s oldest golf competition and a cornerstone of the DP World Tour. Marking its 36th edition in 2025, the tournament is celebrated for its legacy of introducing golf to the region and creating some of the sport’s most iconic moments. For the second year running, the event will maintain its GEO Certified® status, underlining its commitment to sustainability.