Golfing attention shifts to the Emirates Golf Club as the DP World Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic commences, featuring two prominent European stars with distinct objectives. England’s Tommy Fleetwood arrives at the prestigious event riding an extraordinary wave of career-best form. Fresh from securing his maiden PGA TOUR victory and the FedExCup at last season’s TOUR Championship, followed by a triumph at the DP World India Championship, Fleetwood has ascended to a career-high third position in the Official World Golf Ranking. The 35-year-old now sets his sights on capturing the iconic Dallah Trophy and a third Rolex Series title. Despite this being his 15th consecutive appearance at the event, the Majlis Course has historically presented a challenge for him, with only two top-ten finishes to his name. Fleetwood acknowledges the need to synchronize all aspects of his game to conquer a layout he believes suits his style. Alongside him, Ireland’s Shane Lowry seeks immediate redemption following a devastating final-hole collapse at the recent Dubai Invitational, where a double-bogey cost him the title. The 2019 Open Champion and two-time Rolex Series winner, whose last individual victory was at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship, is channeling his frustration into motivation. Both players lauded the DP World Tour’s significance, with Fleetwood emphasizing its role as a dream-making platform for global talent and Lowry highlighting the historic prestige of the Dubai event, first held in 1989. Beyond the competition, the tournament offers an expanded fan experience with Tournament Town, featuring live music, a new Eat Street food hub, and a Kids Zone doubled in size for 2026.