The Omega Dubai Desert Classic has been rated among the top 10 biggest golf tournaments in the world by Bleacher Report
The Omega Dubai Desert Classic has been rated among the top 10 biggest golf tournaments in the world by Bleacher Report, the fourth largest sports media site in the United States that boasts 20 million monthly readers.
Applauding the tournament’s long-held tradition of attracting a top-class field every year, the Report said: “The first European Tour event ever to be played in the Middle East, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic has an illustrious list of past champions.
Tiger Woods playing an approach shot during the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club
“Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Fred Couples and Seve Ballesteros have all won. The tournament takes place at the Emirates Golf Club in February. The 2011 edition featured the grouping of Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods, who were the top three ranked players in the world at the time,” it added.
“The game continues to grow on the international level seemingly every year and high-profile events are played in the Middle East and Asia as well as Europe. The European Tour has grown stronger and also has more events outside the continent,” said the Report that placed the British Open as the “unquestioned crown jewel of international golf tournaments.”
“Dubai and Malaysia are attracting big name players while other events offer a large number of world ranking points and have a strong tradition, such as the BMW PGA Championship,” the Report said.
“It’s a great honour to be recognized among the best in the business,” commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi – the promoters and organizers of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which was first played in 1989.
“It’s always been our constant endeavour to try and assemble the best possible field. We have been doing that thanks to the enthusiastic support of the players,” said said. “But our tournament is all about history and tradition. Its reputation is built on the collective presence of the world class players,” he added.
“I would like take this opportunity to thank our valued sponsors, in particular Omega, the title sponsor, for their unflinching support to the tournament, which we can proudly say is the longest-running European Tour event outside the continent.”
‘golf in DUBAi‘ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
Here are the top 10 biggest international golf tournaments on the list of Bleacher Report:
1. The British Open
2. MW PGA Championship
3. Dubai World Championship
4. WGC-HSBC Champions
5. Omega Dubai Desert Classic
6. Barclays Singapore Open
7. Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
8. Hong Kong Open
9. CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia
10. Barclays Scottish Open.
