The star studded field that put on such a show in Dubai last week has, for the most part, moved on but there remains a decent field teeing up at the Al Hamra Golf Club.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Roller coaster barely begins to describe Nicolai Hojgaard’s final round in 2022 where he started with a three shot lead which he extended to five before a mid-round wobble saw him trailing England’s Jordan Smith by two.
But the Dane regrouped and finished strong with three birdies and an eagle from the 12th to eventually close out the tournament by two. It was Hojgaard’s second DP World Tour title.
COURSE: While 2022 was the first year for this tournament Al Hamra Golf Club wasn’t a complete unknown for many having hosted three events on the secondary Challenge Tour before being promoted in 2022.
While plenty long (it plays to 6,766 meters) that does little to restrict scoring at this level with Hojgaard’s winning total last year coming in at 24-under the card.
Water is more of an issue than length for the field this week with multiple hazards in play, notably on the par-5 3rd and the par-5 finishing hole.
RIGHT: Nicolai Hojgaard claimed the title here last year after a topsy turvy final round. PHOTO: David Cannon/Getty Images.
The 3rd has water lining both sides of the fairway and the 18th is bordered by wet stuff from tee to green.
The main reason for the good scoring here is the wide fairways and large, predominantly flat greens which are designed with resort guests in mind.
And while the birdies aren’t hard to find for the pros the relentless pressure of having to keep finding them over four days can be wearing.
Professional golf can be a taxing affair when par feels like you’re going backwards so while the numbers make it look ‘easy’ the winner certainly won’t feel that way.
PRIZE MONEY: US$2,000,000
PLAYERS TO WATCH: No Rory or Patrick Reed to spice things up this week but there is no shortage of talent making the trip to Ras Al Khaimah.
Three names in particular stand out after their play last week in Dubai, England Callum Shinkwin the most notable.
Some terrific play over the first three days saw the promising 29-year-old into the last group with McIlroy last Sunday but the moment looked to have unnerved him with three dropped shots in his opening five holes.
What he did from there to the clubhouse, however, will hold him in good stead for the rest of his career.
The water lined 18th hole offers plenty of excitement during the closing stages. PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.
Starting from the 7th hole he reeled off six birdies to go from over the card and freefalling down the leaderboard to three-under for his round and a share of fourth place.
That will have him confident coming into this week and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t threatening Sunday.
The other two who stand out do so for different reasons. Both are multiple winners on the Tour and both were close to some good form last week in Dubai.
France’s Victor Perez won just a fortnight ago in Abu Dhabi but endured a horror Sunday in Dubai to slip from fourth through three rounds to mid-field courtesy of a clumsy 75.
That is sure to be a blip rather than a pattern and there would be no better time to turn things around than this week.
The other player in a similar position is Ryan Foxthe big hitting Kiwi also slipped up on Sunday in Dubai after some solid play the first three days.
Fox missed the cut here last year but is a vastly improved player across the back half of 2022 and this is a course which should suit his aggressive style of play.
72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-24, Nicolai Hojgaard2022)
COURSE RECORD: 63 (Haotong Li, Adrian Otaeugi2022)
PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won the event
AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: No Australians in the field
TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 577 7.30pm – 12.30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 10.30am – 11.30am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 6.30pm – 7.30pm)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 7.30pm – 12am)
*AEDT, check local guides
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