Professional golf’s arrival in the Middle East came at just the right moment. When the tournament that would become the Hero Dubai Desert Classic launched in 1989, it introduced a fresh approach to international sporting events in the region, setting standards that still influence how elite competition is organised today.
What makes this tournament remarkable isn’t just its age, but how it has grown and adapted over the years. Three decades of delivering quality golf has created an event where technical challenge, smart partnerships and worldwide attention all come together beautifully. Champions earn their victories under conditions that test nerve as much as skill, whilst millions around the globe get to see Dubai through the lens of world-class sport.
The stage for all this is Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course. As the first grass golf course in the Middle East, it carries genuine historical weight alongside its current reputation. The course demands intelligent play and precise execution, particularly over the closing holes. That 18th hole, especially under floodlights with Dubai’s skyline as backdrop, has produced countless memorable moments over the years.
Building excellence through collaboration
Joining the Rolex Series was a significant milestone for the tournament. This recognition placed it amongst the premium tier of global golf events, acknowledging years of steady improvement across everything from player quality to broadcast reach and spectator experience.
The partnerships behind the tournament tell an interesting story. Rolex brings its long association with precision and sporting heritage, whilst BMW adds engineering excellence and performance credibility. These aren’t just logo placements; they’re genuine alignments around shared values that make the tournament feel authentic.
Hero MotoCorp’s title partnership has helped the event reach new audiences whilst keeping its essential character intact. The connection between sporting achievement and manufacturing expertise creates a natural fit that works across different markets without diluting what makes the tournament special.
Why champions choose Dubai
Players come not just for the prize money or ranking points, but because this tournament genuinely means something. The course tests both skill and composure, and the atmosphere in Dubai, with great crowds and ideal winter conditions, makes the whole week feel special. Winning at Emirates Golf Club isn’t just another title, it’s a career highlight, and one players remember long after the final putt drops.
“The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has always attracted the finest players in the world. When you look at our roll call of champions: Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal. It reads like a who’s who of golf legends. These players helped establish the tournament’s credibility on the global stage from the very beginning.”
Simon Corkill Executive Tournament Director Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Patrick Reed’s 2026 win showed exactly what we’re talking about. The American claimed his first Rolex Series title with a commanding four-stroke lead, staying in control throughout the final day. For someone who’s already won a Masters, adding this trophy to the cabinet was still a meaningful achievement, which speaks volumes about the tournament’s continuing prestige.
Beyond the fairways
The experience stretches well beyond the fairways. As official hotel partner, Destination Mina Seyahi brings together three waterfront resorts to welcome players, partners and visitors from around the world, each offering its own character while delivering the same warm hospitality throughout tournament week.
It highlights an important truth about major sporting events: the memories are shaped not only on the course, but in the moments around it, where people stay, the service they enjoy and the conversations shared off the greens all becoming part of the experience. And the setting plays its part beautifully. Morning rounds unfold against the striking contrast of desert tones and Dubai’s modern skyline, while evening play under floodlights creates a special atmosphere, with the illuminated city providing a spectacular backdrop both for fans on site and viewers watching around the world.
Global connections
Emirates’ return as an official partner feels like a natural fit, reflecting Dubai’s position as one of the world’s great aviation hubs. The airline’s global network makes travel easier for players and fans alike, while reinforcing the tournament’s international character and reach.
The partnership works on many levels. Beyond the practical ease of travel, there is a shared commitment to quality, service and world-class delivery. Relationships like this help elevate the event, supporting its continued growth on the global stage.
Broadcast coverage then carries the tournament even further, bringing Dubai and Emirates Golf Club to audiences around the world. Viewers tune in not only for the competition, but also for the spectacle of golf played against one of the sport’s most distinctive and modern backdrops, helping the event leave a lasting impression far beyond the course.
Growing together
Dubai and this tournament have, in many ways, grown together. What started when the city was still shaping its global identity has evolved alongside Dubai’s remarkable transformation. Today, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic holds a special place on the sporting calendar, offering a sense of tradition and quality in a city that continues to move forward at pace.
The partnership between city and tournament works naturally. Each year, the event gives Dubai a global stage, while the city itself provides a setting where world-class sport meets bold architecture and vibrant energy. Together, they create an experience that feels bigger and more memorable than either could achieve alone.
For players, competing here is about more than hitting great shots. It’s about embracing the conditions, feeding off the crowd and staying composed through the drama of those final holes under the lights. The champions who lift the trophy are the ones who rise to every part of the challenge, turning a demanding week into a career-defining moment.
Three decades strong
Reaching thirty five years is no small achievement, and it reflects thoughtful management rather than simply repeating the same formula. While the essentials remain, from the Majlis Course to its place early in the season and its ability to attract top players, the event continues to evolve in step with the game and with changing expectations from fans.
That balance between tradition and positive change keeps the tournament feeling fresh while preserving its identity. Partnerships are built on genuine alignment, and updates are introduced only when they enhance the experience for players and spectators alike.
As Simon Corkhill notes, joining the Rolex Series marked a major milestone, recognising how far the tournament has grown. It also brings increased prize funds and valuable ranking points, confirming the Hero Dubai Desert Classic’s place among the most important events in world golf.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has grown into far more than just another stop on the golfing calendar. For Dubai, it remains an important annual moment, welcoming the world to the city while celebrating a tournament that has become part of its sporting story.
Each January, attention returns to Emirates Golf Club as new champions are crowned and fresh stories unfold, many of which are remembered long after the tournament comes to a close.