Event of the Day: Omega Dubai Desert Classic Day 1

Our event of the day is the first day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. This is the 29th edition of the first European Tour event that took place in the Middle East. In the next four days, 132 players, including many of the top names in the world of golf, will compete for the ‘Dallah’ trophy on the legendary Majlis course. Sergio Garcia defends the title and is arriving in great form, having recorded an impressive five-shot win at the Asian Tour’s Singapore Open last week. The Spaniard’s triumph last year led to a run of form which saw him secure his first Major win at the Masters Tournament two months later. He repeated a feat achieved in 2016 by Danny Willett of England. 

Reigning Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood is another man playing with momentum, following his successful title defense at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships last week, though his best finish at the Emirates Golf Club was only a share of tenth position in 2013. Following a rib injury, four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy had a successful return to action in Abu Dhabi to state his candidacy for his third Dubai Desert triumph (2009, 2015), which would see him equal the record of Ernie Els (1994, 2002, 2005). There are more Major champions taking part, in the shape of Henrik Stenson - who won the tournament in 2007, Martin Kaymer, Trevor Immelman, Darren Clarke, Louis Oosthuizen; as well as the 2018 European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn. As the tournament’s tag line implies, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is ‘Made for Greatness’ - it should be a thrilling four days of golf ahead.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Day 11 of the 2018 Australian Open at the Melbourne Park. Both games of the women’s singles semi-finals are on the programme with Belgian Elise Mertens taking on 2nd seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark; before world number one Simona Halep from Romania clashes with 2016 winner Angelique Kerber from Germany. In the first semi-final of the men’s singles, Marin Čilić of Croatia will take on British Player Kyle Edmund in the evening session. In the Big Bash League, the Perth Scorchers host the Adelaide Strikers at the WACA Ground in Perth. It’s the second day of the 3rd Test of the Freedom Trophy between South Africa and India at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. New Zealand and Pakistan play their 2nd T20 at Eden Park in Auckland. It’s the opening day of the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. In the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Washington Wizards at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. In the NHL, there’s a duel between the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. In the Copa del Rey return leg of the quarter-final, Barcelona play a city derby against Espanyol at the Camp Nou.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by Omega Golf Dubai; Emirates Golf Club