Rory McIlroy reminisces about Dubai’s Majlis course, ‘where everything started’

Rory McIlroy reminisces about Dubai’s Majlis course, ‘where everything started’
Rory McIlroy has won a record four Dubai Desert Classic titles. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 February 2024
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Rory McIlroy reminisces about Dubai’s Majlis course, ‘where everything started’

Rory McIlroy reminisces about Dubai’s Majlis course, ‘where everything started’
  • Irishman has won record 4 Dubai Desert Classic titles at Emirates Golf Club

DUBAI: Following his latest triumph in the UAE, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy had nothing but praise for the region’s longest-standing golf event, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a tournament he said allowed him to “reminisce” about his career.

The Northern Irishman etched his name in Dubai history after he became the first four-time champion at Emirates Golf Club to cap off the event’s milestone 35th anniversary celebrations in January.

McIlroy, who added to his previous victory tally on the Majlis course in 2009, 2015, and 2023, provided a thrilling weekend for fans as the reigning champion pulled back a 10-shot lead held by Cameron Young to secure his fourth Dallah trophy.

On his personal journey, alongside the city’s growth on the world stage, the 34-year-old player said: “The arc of my career and Dubai as a city have tracked each other pretty consistently along the way.

“I remember my first Dubai Desert Classic as an amateur back in 2006, when we were staying 10 minutes away in what was almost like being out in the desert, and it’s so built up now compared to then.”

In his first visit as a golfing enthusiast, McIlroy would follow his heroes around the Majlis course, with the Emirates Golf Club providing a unique full-circle moment in his career.

“For my first year at the event, I took a media pass and walked inside the ropes to follow Tiger (Woods), Ernie Els, and Thomas Bjorn and then I think about even the arc of that. Thomas is my Ryder Cup captain, I ended up buying Ernie Els’ house, and I’ve become really good friends with Tiger.

“To think about my first visit 18 years ago, and what it’s meant to come here and play in this event, having now won it four times, it’s always been a place I come back to and reminisce about my career as it’s where everything really started,” he added.

The 2024 tournament saw thousands of spectators in attendance with unique moments being enjoyed on and off the greens with the addition of a new-look fan experience.

Several major international certifications also added to the tournament’s legacy for advancing the sport in the region, having become the first golf event in the Middle East and first DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve Golf Environmental Organization-certified tournament status in recent years.

The 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is set to return in January with a strong line-up again expected to take to the Majlis course as part of the season-opening event on the DP World Tour Rolex Series calendar.

Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The historic 2024 edition which just concluded, drew huge crowds across the four days of the tournament.

“Our preparations have already begun to make next year’s event even bigger and better. We are determined to raise the bar even higher for 2025 by not only attracting a stellar field of golf stars but also to ensure there’s a wider range of entertainment and activities for all ages.”


Terrific Thitikul triumphs in Riyadh with runaway victory

Terrific Thitikul triumphs in Riyadh with runaway victory
Updated 15 February 2025
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Terrific Thitikul triumphs in Riyadh with runaway victory

Terrific Thitikul triumphs in Riyadh with runaway victory
  • Thai star secures $675,000 top prize after dominant display
  • Victory follows compatriot Tavatanakit’s 2024 triumph in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Jeeno Thitikul delivered a commanding performance to claim victory at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on Saturday, securing her 17th professional title with a final-round 69 to finish at 16-under par.

The Thai sensation, who turns 22 next Thursday, followed in the footsteps of compatriot Patty Tavatanakit, who lifted the trophy at Riyadh Golf Club in 2024. Thitikul’s triumph also marked a dream start to her season.

“It’s the best present I’ve ever received in my life,” she said. “To be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to win my first event of the year at all because after a long offseason without playing tournaments, you need to adjust a little bit on the course. But winning here is a huge advantage.”

She added: “We can take this form and carry on the good things that happened here. More than anything, I think my team will be proud because we’ve worked really hard in the offseason, always trying to get better. Having a win here means we’re moving in the right direction.”

Thitikul started the final day with a three-shot lead and wasted no time in extending her advantage, carding four birdies in her opening 10 holes. A five-shot cushion with eight to play proved unassailable, as she dropped just one shot on the back nine to seal a dominant win.

South Korea’s Somi Lee secured second place with a two-under-par 70, while England’s Annabell Fuller recovered from a tough front nine to finish one over, earning a solo third-place finish.

Fuller, 22, continued her strong form on the Ladies European Tour after a sixth-place finish last week. Her third-place showing in Riyadh earned her $270,000, a financial boost she described as transformational.

She added: “I was saying to my parents last week (that) this kind of tournament is life changing. Golf isn’t cheap, and neither is traveling, so having the opportunity to earn at this level is huge. It really helps make a career in the game more sustainable.

“It was awesome to play next to her (Thitikul) and watch her game; she’s so good. Even when she made a mistake, seeing how she recovered was incredible. Her short game is just next level, and she always managed to get out of tough spots so well. For me, it’s a huge confidence boost to have two strong weeks back to back.”

The PIF Saudi Ladies International, boasting a $5 million prize fund, matches the men’s equivalent, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. It is the highest non-major purse on the LET, highlighting Golf Saudi and PIF’s commitment to advancing the women’s game.

Thitikul acknowledged the importance of such investment in women’s golf.

She said: “I think Golf Saudi and PIF have done so much to elevate women’s golf and grow the game. I really appreciate how they see the potential in women’s golf and continue investing in it. The women’s game really needs this kind of support to keep growing, especially for the next generation. Hopefully, more fans will watch, whether on TV or coming out here in person. Saudi has done a really good job organizing a big event and bringing in top players to compete, which is great for women’s golf.”

This year’s tournament also introduced a new two-day team format to heighten competition and increase prize-winning potential. South Korea’s Somi Lee captained her team to a two-shot victory, lifting the trophy on Friday.


Horsfield leads, Reed hits hole-in-one at LIV Golf Adelaide

Horsfield leads, Reed hits hole-in-one at LIV Golf Adelaide
Updated 14 February 2025
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Horsfield leads, Reed hits hole-in-one at LIV Golf Adelaide

Horsfield leads, Reed hits hole-in-one at LIV Golf Adelaide
  • Torque top the team competition leaderboard after first round at Grange Golf Club

ADELAIDE: Patrick Reed started the celebrations early in Friday’s opening round at LIV Golf Adelaide, while Majesticks GC’s Sam Horsfield and a couple of Torque GC teammates followed with the lowest scores on what proved to be a challenging day at The Grange.

Horsfield moved atop the individual leaderboard with a 6-under 66, while Torque took the team lead at 8 under thanks to a pair of 67s by captain Joaquin Niemann and Carlos Ortiz.

Defending champions Ripper GC received massive support from the Australian fans but struggled to generate many fireworks. They will play catch-up this weekend, starting Saturday’s second round 11 shots behind.

But it was Reed who produced the biggest shot of the day, with a hole-in-one at the Watering Hole less than 20 minutes after the shotgun start. His 8-iron at the 151-yard par 3 set off scenes reminiscent of two years ago, when Chase Koepka delivered LIV Golf’s first ace at the famous party hole. Reed’s ace is the ninth in league history.

“It’s awesome to give the fans what they want,” said Reed on his fifth competitive ace — and sixth overall — of his career. “That’s why we want to be out here: Golf, but louder.”

The hole-in-one was one of the few highlights of his 1-over 73, however, with the rest of the day belonging to several other competitors.

Among them were multiple major winners Dustin Johnson (68), Bryson DeChambeau (68) and Brooks Koepka (69), each inside the top 10 on the leaderboard.

But it was Horsfield who emerged with the solo lead, thanks to shooting the only bogey-free round of the day. In fact, he has made just one bogey in his last 60 holes going back to last week’s LIV Golf Riyadh, when he tied for 12th. He’ll enter this weekend in search of his first LIV Golf title.

“I feel like I’m playing really, really good,” said the Englishman. “Played solid last week. It's just nice to see that momentum from last week carry over and be able to put a low one out there today and try to do more of the same this weekend.”

Ortiz held the solo lead until a couple of late bogeys, and his captain Niemann also shared it temporarily until suffering his only bogey of the day on his next-to-last hole. Still, it was a productive afternoon for both players, who combined to win three individual titles a year ago.

“It’s unbelievable,” Ortiz said of the atmosphere in Adelaide. “The people here are great. The music is even better. This is probably my favorite tournament I’ve ever played in.”

Niemann tied for third in Adelaide a year ago and won the Australian Open in 2023. He said the enthusiastic Australian golf fans were definitely a factor in his performance Down Under.

“The Australian crowd is really good. They kind of like me a little bit, I think, and you can feel the energy,” he said. “There (are) a few guys following around, really energized, enjoying my shots, enjoying when I was making a putt. So that gets me going.”

DeChambeau was 4-under through his first nine holes but two poor swings resulted in a double-bogey 7 at the par-5 ninth. Thanks to a hot putter, though, he battled back down the stretch to stay close to the leaders and give himself a shot at his first individual LIV Golf title since 2023.

“Certainly, this is one of the best LIV events, if not the best LIV event, on our schedule, and it’s a joy coming back here with the fans and the people and the atmosphere,” he said. “This is what LIV Golf is about.”

 

Team Scores

LIV Golf’s new scoring format made its debut in last week’s season opener in Riyadh, with all four scores now counting in every round in the team competition.

Here are the results and scores for each team after Friday’s 1 of LIV Golf Adelaide.

1. TORQUE GC -8 (Niemann 67, Ortiz 67, Pereira 72, Munoz 74)

T2. FIREBALLS GC -6 (Ancer 68, Puig 70, Garcia 71, Masaveu 73)

T2. LEGION XIII -6 (Hatton 70, McKibbin 70, Rahm 70, Surratt 72)

T2. 4ACES GC -6 (Johnson 68, Varner III 70, Pieters 71, Reed 73)

T5. STINGER GC -5 (Schwartzel 69, Burmester 70, Grace 72, Oosthuizen 72)

T5. CRUSHERS GC -5 (DeChambeau 68, Lahiri 71, Casey 72, Howell III 72)

7. MAJESTICKS GC -2 (Horsfield 66, Stenson 69, Poulter 74, Westwood 77)

8. HYFLYERS GC E (Ogletree 70, Tringale 71, Mickelson 72, Steele 75)

T9. SMASH GC +3 (Koepka 69, Kokrak 73, McDowell 73, Gooch 76)

T9. IRON HEADS GC +3 (Lee 70, Jang 71, Na 71, Ormsby 79)

T9. RIPPER GC +3 (Herbert 71, Smith 72, Leishman 73, Jones 75)

12. CLEEKS GC +4 (Bland 69, Meronk 71, Kaymer 73, Kjettrup 79)

13. RANGEGOATS GC +5 (Watson 70, Campbell 73, Uihlein 73, Wolff 77)

Wild Cards: Lee 72, Kim 73


Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace

Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace
Updated 14 February 2025
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Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace

Somi Lee leads way at PIF Saudi Ladies International, Team Kyriacou set the pace
  • 7-under-par for leader in opening round at Riyadh

RIYADH: Korea’s Somi Lee surged to the top of the leaderboard at the PIF Saudi Ladies International on Thursday, delivering a flawless 7-under-par 65 in the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club.

The 26-year-old’s performance gives her a one-shot lead over Germany’s Esther Henseleit and England’s Annabell Fuller.

Lee set the tone early, reaching 4-under on the front nine before sinking three crucial birdie putts in the final four holes to cap off a near-perfect round. Fresh off a top-15 finish at last week’s Founders Cup, she remains focused on the task ahead.

“I don’t want to think about what has passed. I just want to think about what’s coming, and that’s my main focus,” Lee said.

Alongside the individual battle, the PIF Saudi Ladies International features a unique team format, with 28 teams of four competing for a $500,000 prize fund. The best two scores on each hole contribute to the team total, adding an exciting dynamic to the event.

A brilliant team effort from Stephanie Kyriacou’s squad propelled them into the lead. The Australian, a two-time Ladies European Tour winner, combined with Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Czechia’s Sara Kouskova, and England’s Liz Young to post a team-best -17.

“We ‘ham and egged’ really well,” Kyriacou said, after closing her round with four birdies in the last five holes to boost her team’s total. Cowan also delivered a dazzling display, carding eight birdies, including a near ace at the par-3 17th.

She added: “I wasn’t really doing much for the first 14 holes but I was able to turn it on (in) the last few that will help us going into Friday.”

Close behind in second place is Team Lee, led by individual leader Somi Lee, whose 65 was backed up by an impressive 67 from Minsun Kim. They were joined by France’s Nastasia Nadaud and England’s Amy Taylor.

One of the day’s biggest highlights came from Thailand’s April Angurasaranee, who celebrated her first-ever hole-in-one. The 20-year-old struck a perfect 6-iron at the par-3 sixth hole, much to the delight of her team captain Moriya Jutanugarn.

The PIF Saudi Ladies International continues to break new ground, with an equal prize fund to the men’s event.

Round two tees off on Friday, as the world’s best battle for both individual and team glory in Riyadh.


‘You always want to get better, and that’s just golf,’ says Patty Tavatanakit ahead of her Saudi Ladies title defense

‘You always want to get better, and that’s just golf,’ says Patty Tavatanakit ahead of her Saudi Ladies title defense
Updated 12 February 2025
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‘You always want to get better, and that’s just golf,’ says Patty Tavatanakit ahead of her Saudi Ladies title defense

‘You always want to get better, and that’s just golf,’ says Patty Tavatanakit ahead of her Saudi Ladies title defense
  • Golf Saudi ambassadors Patty Tavatanakit and Carlota Ciganda, both previous winners in Saudi’s capital, are set for the $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International
  • Patty Tavatanakit: Being a Golf Saudi ambassador this year, I’m really grateful to be a part of this journey

RIYADH: Patty Tavatanakit is is ready to defend her title at the PIF Saudi Ladies International from 13-15 February at Riyadh Golf Club.

Reflecting on her off-season, Tavatanakit admitted she had not dwelled much on her three victories last year but instead remained focused on improvement and the road ahead.

The Thai player said: “I feel like, in the off-season, I hadn’t really reflected back on last year and the three wins. But I just kept on working and looking forward to this year already. I don’t know what to think or what to expect. 

“Coming into this week, I just really want to play my best. I’m working on some things right now. I just switched to a new coach, so I really want to focus on the process.” 

As the defending champion, she acknowledges the pressure but views it as a privilege.

“I feel like there’s always pressure. You're coming back as a defending champion. You’ve done it once. People expect you to do it again. But I could take it as a positive. Pressure is a privilege, and I’m very privileged to have that at the back of my mind.”

Last year was a strong season for Tavatanakit, with victories in Thailand, two additional top-10 finishes, and a third-place finish at The Amundi Evian Championship. However, she believes there’s still room for improvement.

“It was very, very important. A big boost in confidence, for sure. Earlier last year, I felt like my performance was there.

“At the same time though, I didn’t feel like I performed my best or had my form all year round. That’s something I’ve been working on this off-season — just trying to eliminate those big misses, tee to green, and cleaning things up on the putting green a little bit. You always want to get better, and that’s just golf.”

Tavatanakit also praised the efforts of PIF and Golf Saudi in growing the game globally. 

“What they’re doing for the game of golf in general is amazing. They’re showing their commitment. They’re here, they’re staying, and they’re trying to grow the game globally. Being a Golf Saudi ambassador this year, I’m really grateful to be a part of this journey.”

Carlota Ciganda also echoed similar sentiments about the event’s significance. 

The Spanish Solheim Cup star said: “I think it’s amazing what Golf Saudi are doing. I’ve been with them for the last three years and again this year. Very grateful for all the support and their commitment to women’s golf with all the tournaments on the Ladies European Tour, these team events. 

“Tournaments like this one with the same prize fund as the men — I think that’s changing women’s golf. It’s moving towards more equality, so I’m very happy to be a part of it.”

Tavatanakit’s primary goal for the season is clear: “I’d like to win this year. Very clear about that, very passionate about it. I’ll do anything I can to make that happen.”

As she prepares to defend her title, Tavatanakit emphasizes mental toughness. “I feel like the words “comfortable” and “confident” are kind of an illusion for me now. You just have togo out there regardless of how you feel. Just got to make it happen and accept that it’s golf — it’s not always going to look pretty.”

A previous team captain and winner in Riyadh, Ciganda embraces the format change. “I love playing for the team. It’s something I always enjoy. I love playing for my teammates, and I think the best comes out of me when I play for others as well.”

She also had words of encouragement for young players like Mimi Rhodes, who has previously stated Ciganda as a role model whilst growing up. 

“Young players nowadays are very ready to play. When they turn pro, they are much more prepared than 15 years ago. But I think it’s important to have fun, enjoy, and have a good team around you. It can be lonely sometimes, so having a coach and a team that supports you through good and bad times is really important. Just enjoy the process. Golf has ups and downs — that’s just how it is.” 

The Spaniard’s goal for the season? 

“Winning. Winning on the LPGA, winning here, winning majors — that’s what I want. Being European, the AIG Women’s Open is always special, but I’d be happy with any Major.” 

It’s all to play for as Tavatankit and Ciganda hope they can kick start their season with an all important win.


Li Haotong birdies last hole to win Qatar Masters for fourth European tour title

Li Haotong birdies last hole to win Qatar Masters for fourth European tour title
Updated 09 February 2025
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Li Haotong birdies last hole to win Qatar Masters for fourth European tour title

Li Haotong birdies last hole to win Qatar Masters for fourth European tour title
  • Li, the overnight leader, shot 3-under 69 in the final round to finish on 16-under par for the week

DOHA: Li Haotong holed a birdie putt from 15 feet at the last hole to secure a one-shot win at the Qatar Masters on Sunday for his fourth title on the European tour.
The No. 300-ranked Chinese golfer let out a loud roar, pumped both fists and wept in the arms of his caddie after his winning putt at Doha Golf Club. It denied Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark a playoff.
Li, the overnight leader, shot 3-under 69 in the final round to finish on 16-under par for the week, while Neergaard-Petersen posted 65. The Dane was alone in second place, two shots clear of Brandon Robinson Thompson (70).
“I never thought I could come back in this position,” said Li, whose last win was in June 2022 at the BMW International Open. “This morning, I was really stressed.”
The Qatar Masters completes a run of four events in the Middle East. The tour next heads to Kenya on Feb. 20— 23.