Bryson DeChambeau Looks to Defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic Title at Emirates Golf Club

First player announcement of world-class golfers coincides with launch of all-new hospitality packages with new 18th hole viewing area

(DUBAI) — Bryson DeChambeau will be hard-pressed to defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title when he returns to the iconic Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club to take on a world-class field of proven European Tour winners from 23-26 January 2020.

The oldest tournament in the Middle East – and the longest-running on the circuit outside of Europe – will return for the 31st edition next year, as will past European Ryder Cup players Matthew Fitzpatrick, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Rafa Cabrera Bello, who also won the event in 2012. They will be joined by four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace, who finished runner-up to America’s DeChambeau eight months ago.

New for 2020, Hospitality Terrace packages are now available, offering a VIP unique view of the Majlis Courses’ iconic 18th green and a ringside seat to the drama that will surely unfold come the final round.

For those in attendance, it will be a chance to see one of world golf’s most compelling young players, as DeChambeau showcases the unique approach that yielded a remarkable 24-under par total and a seven-shot victory earlier this year – the tournament’s lowest ever score.

“I really enjoyed my time in Dubai and to cap the week with my first international win was amazing,” said DeChambeau, the current world number 11. “I have always spoken about how important it is for me to be regarded as a successful international player and to win around the world. The Omega Dubai Desert Classic was a great start and it will be an honour to return to this beautiful city and defend my title.”

Much like DeChambeau, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has been a happy hunting ground for Cabrera Bello over the years, who will arrive in the UAE looking to claim a fourth European Tour title – adding to his Dubai victory of 2012 and a subsequent runner-up finish four years later.

Hot on the Spaniard’s heels will be the ‘Iceman’, Stenson, who became the first male player from Sweden to win a Major at the 2016 Open Championship and will play his 20th consecutive Omega Dubai Desert Classic in January, having won the tournament back in 2007. He first teed it up in 2001, where he fell in love with the tournament and the region, calling both the city and Emirates Golf Club home for several years afterwards as a result.

He will be joined by former World Number One, Westwood, whose most recent victory came at the Nedbank Golf Challenge last year – the 24th of his European Tour career. The Englishman is yet to lift the famous Dallah Trophy having first played the Omega Dubai Desert Classic back in 1994, missing the tournament just twice and recording three second place finishes in the 23 starts since.

Compatriot and talismanic European Ryder Cup star, Poulter, finished tied third in last year’s event and will return to Dubai looking to harness the form that has seen him labelled ‘The Postman’ for his ability to deliver when the pressure is on. Similarly, 25-year-old Fitzpatrick, already a five-time winner on the European Tour, including at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and Omega European Masters, will be eager to add this trophy and complete his Dubai and Omega doubles, respectively.

Fellow Englishman Wallace, four-time winner on the European tour is also set to tee up, as he looks to go one better than last year and add this title to his burgeoning international resume.

“We have been fortunate enough to welcome the biggest names in golf to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for the past three decades and this year’s field promises to be no different,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director. “Bryson’s victory earlier this year was as impressive as any we have seen here and to be able to announce his return alongside that of six such stalwarts of European golf, is further proof of the event’s international appeal. Couple this with our new and improved hospitality offering for 2020 and this promises to be another fantastic event for players and fans alike.”

The inaugural Omega Dubai Desert Classic was played in 1989 and won by England’s Mark James. Since then, the roll of honour has boasted some of the biggest names in golf over the past 30 years, including the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Colin Montgomerie and Tiger Woods.

For more information on the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, visit www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com.

To purchase hospitality packages for the event, go to www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com/buy-tickets.