Five things to know: Slync.Io Dubai Desert Classic 2022

Here are your five things to know about the 2022 Slync.Io Dubai Desert Classic

An iconic event

The Slync.Io Dubai Desert Classic, which is the oldest DP World Tour tournament in the Middle East and the longest-running outside of Europe, returns this week to Emirates Golf Club for its 33rd edition - and first as a Rolex Series event.

First played in 1989, the tournament has been hosted at Emirates Golf Club on all but two occasions (Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club in 1999 and 2000). It is the third event on the 2022 schedule and is the second of five Rolex Series events set to be played this year, following Thomas Pieters’ first Rolex Series triumph in Abu Dhabi last week.

The tournament has been won by some of golf’s greatest names, including Major Champions Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett – who are all in the field this week – Seve Ballesteros, Ernie Els, Fred Couples, José Maria Olazábal, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods, and Bryson DeChambeau.

Casey defends

Paul Casey returns this week to defend the title he won by four shots last year, which saw him earn a milestone 15th European Tour title.

The Englishman already boasted an excellent record in the United Arab Emirates with victories in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009, and was emotional after joining the prestigious list of former champions following his desert hat-trick at Emirates Golf Club.

"I'm all emotional with wins, but this one is such a prestigious event," Casey had said following his victory.

"The history which is behind you, and I can see it from here with amazing winners, is basically a who's who in world golf.

"I'm so over the moon. Not just 15, the fact it's Dubai. It's an iconic event on the European Tour. One of the coolest trophies around.”

This week, he is looking to follow Stephen Gallacher and become only the second player to defend this title.

Greens redone

This may be the 31st time that this particular tournament has been played at Emirates Golf Club, but a new challenge awaits on the greens of the Majlis course in 2022.

All 18 greens have been recreated following the 2021 event, which have seen a substantial increases in size that is more like their original composition. On average, it equates to roughly a 33 percent increase, with the biggest of those at the first, and the result is a variety of new options for pin positions.

Other challenges include a flatter run-off at the fourth and new undulations on the fifth, and time will tell whether previous experience or coming to the course with a fresh eye will benefit players in the field.

Inside the field

A star-studded field of Rolex Series Champions heads to Emirates Golf Club this week for the second Rolex Series of the year, including current DP World Tour Number One Collin Morikawa, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Lee Westwood.

An in-form Rory McIlroy is one of several former champions who are heading to Dubai this week following a strong performance in Abu Dhabi. The two-time champion, who is making his first start in this event since a runner-up finish in 2018, hasn’t finished outside of the top ten here since his victory in 2009. He finished in a tie for 12th last week.

Another player in form is 2012 champion Rafa Cabrera Bello. The man who also finished as the runner-up in this event in 2016 hasn’t had as much success in recent years, but he’ll be hoping to bring momentum over from Abu Dhabi after ending the week in a tie for second place.

Meanwhile, Thomas Pieters comes fresh from his second victory in his last three starts on the DP World Tour, aiming to do the double in the UAE. He’s joined by new World Number Five Viktor Hovland, who has also claimed two victories in his last four starts, and heads to Dubai after a fourth place finish in Abu Dhabi.

Sustainability Sunday

Sustainability Sunday is part of the tournament’s Go for the Green sustainability initiative and is the first milestone in a commitment towards GEO certification, recognising environmental and social responsibility in golf.

The focus day will shine the spotlight on the sustainable developments at this year’s tournament that fall under four themes: waste, transport, energy and legacy.

A flagship partnership with Aggreko, global leaders in temporary power, means that large areas of the tournament will be powered by a mix of 20 percent locally-sourced biofuel and 80 percent solar power. Areas powered by the new energy mix include the Players’ Lounge, Main Hospitality Pavilion, 15th Green Hospitality, the TopGolf Deck, DP World Tour offices, Village Area, Merchandise Tent, oncourse food and beverages areas and spectator washrooms.

In association with Goumbook, players will participate in a symbolic seed planting of the Ghaf tree, the national tree of the UAE

The Arena Group has committed to a 100% PVC recycling rate through-out the duration of the four-day event

Other initiatives include a switch to digital ticketing, a campaign to encourage the use of metro and public transport by spectators, and the replacement of on-course plastic bottles with refillable options. Specialist waste management efforts to reduce waste sent to landfill will also be in operation in partnership with Dulsco, an integrated waste management solutions provider and the Official Waste Management Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Find out more here…