DP World Tour : Ras Al Khaimah Classic Tee Times
The DP World Tour returns to Ras Al Khaimah and Al Hamra Golf Club for the second successive week for the Ras Al Khaimah Classic, marking the end of a four-week run in the Middle East.
Final week in the Middle East
Last week, the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah hosted the DP World Tour for the first time, following back-to-back Rolex Series events in neighbouring Emirates, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.
This week’s venue may have had its first outing on the DP World Tour last week, but it’s not been a stranger to professional golf tournaments in the past.
Al Hamra Golf Club previously hosted the European Challenge Tour from 2016 to 2018, with the Challenge Tour Grand Final taking place in 2018.
Jordan Smith was the first player to triumph at Al Hamra, which helped him move to the top of the Challenge Tour Rankings and ultimately earn his Tour card as the winner of the Challenge Tour in 2016. Last week, the Englishman showed how comfortable he felt around the course, finishing as the runner-up to Nicolai Hojgaard on his first trip back to Ras Al Khaimah.
Nicolai Højgaard will return to Al Hamra Golf Club hoping to make it back-to-back titles and equal his brother Rasmus’s winning haul of three victories on the DP World Tour.
The 20-year-old produced a stunning display which yielded a four-stroke victory last week, and the big-hitting Dane is feeling confident he can claim back-to-back titles in the United Arab Emirates after finding the rhythm with his driver.
“It’s been one of my focus points after the first two weeks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – my driving. It’s always been my strength it’s just about keeping it in play and last week it just clicked. I didn’t hit many fairways but you don’t have to hit many fairways here.
Al Hamra Golf Club is just under an hour’s drive from Dubai International Airport, and is known as one the country’s hidden gems.
Opened in 2007 and designed by Peter Harradine, the 7,235 yard, par-72 course is most recognisable for meandering around four inter-connected open water lagoons merging seamlessly with the water of the Arabian Gulf. It is also notably the first plastic-free golf club in both the country and the region.
Bryan Angus
europeantour.com
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