DUBAI: As the world’s best golfers begin arriving at Emirates Golf Club ahead of the first Rolex Series event of the 2026 Race to Dubai season, taking place at Majlis Course from Jan. 22-25, the stage is set for the 37th Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Record four-time champion Rory McIlroy returns to the “Major of the Middle East” where he debuted as a fresh-faced 16-year-old in 2006, marking the 20th anniversary of his first appearance. The reigning Masters champion and five-time Major winner will chase a historic fifth Dallah Trophy as part of a stellar field including defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, former world No. 1 Dustin Johnson, FedEx Cup Champion Tommy Fleetwood, 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry, 2022 HDDC champion Viktor Hovland, Rolex Series winner Nicolai Hojgaard, PGA Tour victor Ryan Fox and rising star Tom McKibbin.

Former world No. 1 and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald also returns to Dubai, while UAE national golfer Ahmad Skaik joins the field as a professional for the first time, highlighting the tournament’s continued commitment to supporting regional talent.

Matthew Perry, course superintendent at Emirates Golf Club, oversees a team of more than 100 that ensures the golf course lives up to its reputation as one of the best in world golf.

“Preparations have gone really, really well for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic,” he said. “We came out of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in a good place back in October, which really set us up nicely to push through and get things ready. All areas are in good condition — the greens are in great shape and we’re now reducing heights and increasing cuts and rolls to get the speed required by the Tour.

“The team has worked tremendously hard over the last couple of weeks building up to this tournament, and we expect really good feedback from the players. We always set very high standards given it (is) a Rolex Series event and such a prestigious tournament.

“One thing we really focused on last year was tidying all the desert areas, which are now presenting very well. Overall, I’m really happy with the course condition going into event week — it gets the juices flowing for what will be a busy week for us, but also a rewarding one.”

During tournament week, the agronomy team grows to include 105 staff members, including seconded personnel from Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates, all working together to ensure every blade of grass meets the exacting standards expected at a Rolex Series event.

Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said: “The synergy between our tournament operations team and the Dubai Golf agronomy team is vital to delivering a world-class event. The work that Matt and his team do is remarkable — bringing the course to peak condition at exactly the right time is an exact science, and they deliver year after year to championship standards. With our strongest field in recent memory and preparations running smoothly, we’re ready to welcome players and fans for what promises to be a thrilling 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.”