If you think you’ve seen star power in the desert before, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Golf’s glitterati are descending on the iconic Emirates Golf Club from January 16–19 for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2025, and this year’s field reads like a who’s who of the sport.
Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy is back to defend his crown and headline what might just be the strongest cast in recent memory.
Champions And Contenders Galore
Alongside McIlroy, fans can feast their eyes on another past champion, Viktor Hovland, returning to the Majlis Course for the first time since his 2022 triumph.
This dynamic duo won’t have the place to themselves for long—Ryder Cup teammates Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Nicolai Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, and European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald are all teeing it up.
Rahm, a two-time Major winner, will be making his long-awaited Hero Dubai Desert Classic debut, adding extra sparkle to an already spectacular line-up.
Major champions Pádraig Harrington, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, and Jimmy Walker are also on the entry list, while Rolex Series winners Ryan Fox, Min Woo Lee, Thomas Pieters, and Dubai-based Paul Waring—fresh off a win in Abu Dhabi—will each be chasing that coveted Dallah trophy.
Fresh Faces: Next-Gen Talents
If you love keeping an eye out for the next big thing, two-time PGA TOUR winner Akshay Bhatia and American Amateur David Ford, currently atop the PGA TOUR University Ranking, are set to make their first appearances in Dubai.
Ford will team up with fellow 2023 Walker Cup standout Preston Summerhays, a pairing that highlights the event’s dedication to giving rising stars their shot at greatness.
Also returning with serious momentum is Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard—who bested McIlroy at the Amgen Irish Open and finished runner-up to the Northern Irishman in the 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings.
He’ll be joined by a host of other DP World Tour regulars such as Laurie Canter, Tom McKibbin, Jordan Smith, Matt Wallace, Matt Jordan, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Niklas Norgaard, Thorbjørn Olesen, and Romain Langasque.
The Social On Sixteen: A New Way To Enjoy Golf
For those who enjoy an elevated experience with friends, the 2025 tournament introduces a fresh ticket option—The Social on Sixteen.
Perched at one of the most vibrant vantage points overlooking the Majlis Course’s 16th green, this new package includes four hours of premium beverages and casual dining, starting from AED 695.
As always, free general admission tickets remain available for those who prefer watching world-class golf the good old-fashioned way, while hospitality packages are still up for grabs—but not for long.
A Tournament Of Firsts And Legacy
Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic, promises a championship for the ages.
“We’re absolutely delighted that this year’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2025 boasts the strongest and most exciting field we’ve witnessed in many years,” he said.
As the first Rolex Series event of the season, the Classic continues to set the pace for global golf, all while leaving an indelible mark on the DP World Tour calendar.
First staged in 1989, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is the oldest professional golf tournament in the Middle East.
Next year’s edition marks the 36th staging of this prestigious competition, which helped thrust golf into the region’s spotlight and has delivered countless iconic moments.
Additionally, the tournament will celebrate its second consecutive year as GEO Certified®, the only such accolade in the Middle East and across the DP World Tour Rolex Series.
To learn more, book your free general admission tickets, or secure premium experience packages, visit www.dubaidesertclassic.com.
You can also download the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app—available now on App Store or Google Play—to retrieve your tickets and stay updated on all the latest from this unmissable event.
