As you probably know, I live in Dubai now and the most exciting news for golf in the UAE recently has been the formation of Falcon Golf – a new entity set up by Dubai to enhance the city’s golf infrastructure and optimise the benefits the sport brings the emirate.
Falcon Golf
The fact Falcon Golf has been created in the first place shows how significant the game is to the city and, as someone who loves the emirate, I’m excited and proud to be helping them tell the Dubai story during my travels around the world on the European Tour.
Board of Players Committee Member
I’ve recently been appointed to the Board of the Players Committee on the European Tour and I hope my experience will be valuable in working with Chairman Peter Dawson and the team at Falcon Golf in raising awareness of Dubai to the world’s golfing community.
Making Dubai my home
I made Dubai my home and – after many years of playing golf in the region – I think I can provide an authentic voice to international audiences and share my personal views and experiences of living in the emirate. Not only does it boast beautiful golf courses, but it is also a wonderful destination for the whole family.
Fresh look on the game
Falcon Golf will also take over the running of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. Change brings fresh input and another perspective – that’s not to say what went before was not good. But change means challenging the status quo and that is what Dubai has always strived for. It pushes the boundaries and that is always a good thing in my view.
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
I’ve been fortunate to have been a winner of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and one of a long line of Spanish players to have won this great tournament. It really is a Who’s Who of Spanish golf. My sister Emma has also competed over the years in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters with some success and we both feel very much at home in Dubai.
Desert Swing
It was great to play so close to home on this year’s Desert Swing and I was reasonably happy with my performances (T19 Abu Dhabi, T6 Qatar, T11 Dubai). Although, of course, I would have preferred to win!
Tiger Woods
The Omega Dubai Desert Classic received a big boost with Tiger Woods making his return to the event. It was unfortunate that injury forced him to retire after the first round, but his attendance energised international media, golf fans and his fellow professionals.
We have to thank Tiger
It was a natural fit for him to come as he has great history of playing in, and winning, the tournament. We have a lot to thank Tiger for as he has been a standard bearer for our great game and is an iconic athlete so I was pleased to see him pick Dubai as one of the events to continue his comeback. Following his withdrawal Tiger took part in an excellent Q&A chaired by Peter Dawson in the Falcon Golf chalet which I thought was a touch of class.
