As the DP World Tour’s Desert Swing – now part of the International Swing – wrapped up last month, the Middle East delivered its fair share of compelling stories. From Tyrrell Hatton securing a record-tying fifth Rolex Series title to Team GB&I avenging their defeat at the Team Cup, it was a memorable five weeks in the region. While the spotlight often shines on these major headlines, there are plenty of other moments you might have missed. Here’s a look at some standout performances and lesser-known highlights from the Desert Swing that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
In preparation for the daunting test awaiting them at Bethpage Black this September, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald devised an unconventional strategy to ready his team for the course’s notoriously intimidating atmosphere.
At the Team Cup, Donald recreated the chaos of a fiercely partisan crowd, starting with the first tee. Loudspeakers echoed with chants of “USA!” while spectators were actively encouraged to shout, heckle, and even cough during players’ backswings, replicating the relentless noise and pressure that awaits.
To further push the players out of their comfort zones, Donald brought in a mystery American comedian, strategically placed at the 7th hole, to deliver relentless jibes and taunts throughout the day.
“It’s what Luke is about, isn’t it?” said Matt Wallace.
“He wants to try and get everything as close as possible to what the conditions will be like in New York. He wants us to practice that and get better.
“I was lucky to be last off, so I knew what was going to happen, but I didn’t really know what was going to happen on the seventh hole. We had someone heckling us all the way through the shot, and he was pretty brutal.
“He could have maybe turned it up a little bit to get right under my skin, but it proper focused me as I hit the best two shots of my day on that hole. It was a great practice day as it was really ramped up.”
Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu etched his name into history as the first Arab-born golfer to make the cut at a Rolex Series event at the Dubai Desert Classic, securing the opportunity to compete alongside Adam Scott in the process.
“When I was a kid, I watched Adam Scott win the Masters,” said the 20-year-old. “To now play alongside him is incredible. It was really nice.”
Bresnu, who has already made a mark in the Middle East, previously won the Pan Arab Championship in Ajman and earned a top-ten finish at the prestigious Asian Tour’s Saudi International, an event packed with top-tier players from LIV Golf.
Keita Nakajima delivered an unforgettable moment in the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, making an incredible albatross at the 18th. The Japanese star holed his second shot with a five-wood from 236 yards, earning raucous cheers from fans packed in the grandstand behind the green.
It marked Nakajima’s first albatross on the DP World Tour and the second of the 2025 Race to Dubai season, following CJ du Plessis’ feat at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
A historic milestone was achieved at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship as five players from the UAE competed in a single DP World Tour event. Invitations from the Emirates Golf Federation were extended to UAE National Team amateurs Ahmad Skaik, Sam Mullane, and Jonathan Selvaraj, along with professional Joshua Grenville-Wood. The group was rounded out by the UAE’s newest addition, five-time DP World Tour winner Adrián Otaegui, who joined the others at Al Hamra Golf Club. Otaegui and Grenville-Wood both made the cut, finishing in 67th and 70th place, respectively.
The 488-yard ninth hole on the Majlis Course proved to be the most challenging of the Desert Swing, averaging +0.35 over par. As the longest par four on the course, it features one of the toughest approach shots. The right side is guarded by trees and a bunker off the tee, meaning any shot straying off the fairway makes it even more difficult to reach the green. The green, shared with the 18th hole, is also protected by water along its entire left side. Despite winning the tournament, Tyrrell Hatton struggled on the hole, playing it at two over par for the week, with two bogeys and two pars.
After nearly 20 years of playing professionally, James Morrison stepped onto the fairways in a new role at the Bahrain Championship—one that involved making observations rather than swings.
For the first time since earning his place on the DP World Tour in 2009, Morrison was without full playing status, but he embraced the opportunity to work as an on-course analyst for the DP World Tour’s global broadcast at Royal Golf Club.
A two-time tour winner, the English golfer had long been a fixture in the game, and his decision to step away from full-time competition after losing his card at the end of the previous season signalled a shift in his career.
“I was slightly apprehensive but after a while I got into it and absolutely loved it,” said Morrison after his first day forging part of the on-site commentary team.
“It is much easier calling their shots than my shots.”
Jean Bekirian made history by becoming the first Armenian golfer to make the cut at a DP World Tour event during the Qatar Masters. The 22-year-old opened with a solid four-under-par 68 at Doha Golf Club, and followed it up with a 74 on Friday, securing a two-under total to progress to the weekend’s play.
Having switched his nationality from French to Armenian the previous year, Bekirian was making his third start of the 2025 Race to Dubai after earning his DP World Tour card via Qualifying School.
“I am very happy about that (making history),” he said.
“It was a very tough day today. The game was good, like yesterday, but my wedging wasn’t very good.
“I needed to play one under on the back nine to make the cut and I’m very happy about that. I hope this will lead to another cut in the future.”
The DP World Tour has players from 41 different counties exempt for the 2025 season.
