With the Hero Dubai Desert Classic just around the corner, it’s fantastic to have my new academy building up and running at Emirates Golf Club. This facility has been a long time in the making, and seeing it come to life at such a world-class venue is a proud moment. I’ll be there at the start of the month to work with my players and catch up with the coaching team at the academy.
The new academy is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, offering tools to help players of all abilities improve their game. From elite Tour professionals to amateurs picking up a club for the first time, the ability to illustrate my teaching philosophies visually using the latest equipment is ideal.
Sometimes, no matter how well an instruction is explained, it can get lost in translation. Backing up these instructions visually through advanced gadgets not only enhances understanding but also builds confidence in both players and coaches.
It’s fair to say the academy is exactly what the number one course in Dubai, with its 37-year legacy, deserves.
Emirates Golf Club has always been a special place for me. To be associated with it for so many years is an honour. It’s the original course in Dubai and remains the best, though naturally also the busiest. It truly represents what Dubai is all about: luxury, excellence, and ambition. In the early days, people came to Dubai just to play and admire this ‘jewel in the desert.’ Decades later, it still holds the same pull and continues to be a centrepiece of golf in the region.
This month, it’s especially exciting to see the Hero Dubai Desert Classic attracting some of the biggest names in the game once again. It’s an event that has built a strong reputation over the years, hosting some of the greatest players and crowning iconic champions. This year’s field, featuring Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, promises to deliver another thrilling chapter.
Of course, some may try to frame this as yet another PGA TOUR versus LIV Golf showdown. But that story misses the bigger picture. Great players want to compete against the best, regardless of which tour they represent. At the highest level, success is measured by Major championships, and you can only win those by testing yourself against the strongest fields throughout the year.
Jon Rahm highlights this drive for excellence. He’s been in phenomenal form and understands the importance of consistently competing with top players like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. This isn’t just about rivalries; it’s about raising your game by playing against the best.
Rahm isn’t alone in this mindset. Brooks Koepka, another LIV golfer, shares that fierce competitive spirit. Although he couldn’t fit the Dubai Desert Classic into his schedule this year, it’s clear he relishes opportunities to challenge players from the PGA and DP World Tours. Knowing Brooks, I’m certain the outcome of the recent match against Rory and Scottie wasn’t what he wanted. However, that wasn’t a true measure of individual ability—it wasn’t a 72-hole stroke-play event, where players have the chance to truly battle it out over four days.
At Emirates Golf Club, where Rory is chasing his fifth title, course knowledge can undoubtedly be an advantage. Rory knows the Majlis Course like the back of his hand, and his record here speaks for itself. That said, Rahm’s fresh perspective might work in his favour. Sometimes, coming to a course for the first time allows a player to approach it without the baggage of past experiences. Rahm has the power and precision to match Rory, and who knows how it is going to play out.
Could you imagine McIlroy and Rahm battling it out on the 18th hole on Sunday, tied or separated by just a single shot? The closing hole at the Majlis is one of my favourites. It’s a great test, especially now that players can’t simply take the corner off as they used to. The drama this hole has created over the last three decades is unmatched on the DP World Tour, and anything can happen.
Beyond the trophy, this event has added significance for many players. Ryder Cup points are at stake, and having more players like Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Thomas Pieters competing on both the DP World and PGA Tours is crucial for the European team. The path to qualification is tough, but Europe needs its strongest players, regardless of their LIV Golf affiliation, if they are to have a chance at Bethpage Black later this year.
Bethpage is a formidable challenge. The fans are some of the most passionate—and intimidating—in the world, and the course itself is brutal. For Luke Donald, having experienced players automatically qualify will be essential. Taking too many rookies into such a high-pressure environment would be risky. Europe’s best must step up if they are to face the Americans on equal footing and reclaim the Ryder Cup.
