It was great to see the course so well presented, and many people abroad messaged me to say the same thing, having only from seen it on television. So, a win for Dubai’s golf tourism trade.
If golf fans abroad were not booking their flight to Dubai after seeing the conditions at the Creek, I’m sure they were after watching the Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club the following week. You all know I’m a huge Majlis fan but the set up was one of the best to date.
The course was immaculate and the rough was a true test, as were the bunkers. Players just couldn’t smash it miles and gouge lofted club into the greens, they needed the right technique and course management. The bunkers provided little spin for players and the rough made them think twice off the tee boxes, just how a course should be set up.
With the greens drying out and getting faster it was inevitable the scoring was going to be tougher on the final day, but I expected Young and Meronk to push Rory harder over the closing holes. Especially when you consider Rory was one over par for the back nine, the door was open for someone to come after him.
Young was impressive throughout the week, considering it was the first time he had stepped foot on the Majlis. Though when Rory put his foot on the gas during the opening nine on Sunday Cameron just couldn’t match the world’s number two for power.
Young is a big hitter but seeing Rory 10 yards further ahead off the tee can affect anyone’s game, and the American’s accuracy dropped to 42.9% in the final round compared to 50% over the previous three days. Missing fewer fairways meant he struggled to find greens, which showed in the stats, as his greens in regulation for the final round was just 55.6%, down nearly 20% from the previous 36 holes.
With Rory winning the power battle in the final group Meronk had the opportunity to post a score and put the pressure on, especially when he could see McIlory wasn’t pulling away on the back nine. It was looking good, as Adrian picked up three quick birdies but when he dropped a shot on 16 it gave McIlroy all the breathing space he required, even though Meronk got the shot back on the final hole, Rory did not need to take any risks.
Things could have been different for Rory if Koepka was in the field. If the LIV event date in Mexico wasn’t so close, Brooks might have been tempted to tee it up in Dubai. He’s looking to get match fit for the Masters and not concerned about travelling the globe to prove he’s the best. Everyone tends to forget that Brooks made it the hard way and wasn’t a college superstar. He came over to the Challenge Tour to show what he was made of. Thousands of miles from home and with little support he quickly proved that his strength of mind matched his game. Koepka might not have to worry about the airfares anymore but that desire to win and dominate is arguably stronger than ever.
It will be good to catch up with Brooks and my other players on the range at Mayakoba, but I bet they are all delighted to see Rahm’s name on the starting sheet. Having the current Masters champion in the field with his competitive spirit will only up everyone else’s game.
Though the talk right now is about the amateur Nick Dunlap who won The American Express, defeating the likes of Schauffele and Justin Thomas, but had to pass his winner’s cheque down to runner-up Bezuidenhout.
Dunlap is now in a privileged position, having won a PGA TOUR event and the US Amateur title, he has a two year exemption status and able to play three out of the four Majors. Plus, rocketed up from 4121 to 68 on the Official World Ranking, so if he turns professional and maintains form, he could break inside the top 50 and earn a place at The Open.
That is the only Major Dunlap has not qualified for. Having said that things could get tougher for the young lad, as added fame brings the media spotlight and that can make or break a player. So, it will be interesting to see how he performs at the Masters against the best in the world on a course that tests every part of the game.
