With just two weeks to go until the Ras Al Khaimah Championship tees off at Al Hamra Golf Club from January 25-28, Ryder Cup Captains Thomas Bjørn and Pádraig Harrington are the latest players to add their names to the star-studded field.
Three-time Major Champion Harrington will be making his third appearance in the tournament, with Bjørn also returning to the event for a second time.
Bjørn has tasted success in the United Arab Emirates in the past, winning the Dubai Desert Classic in 2001 after an epic final round battle with Harrington and Tiger Woods.
“The Middle East is a part of the world I have always enjoyed playing golf in,” said Bjørn, who often bases himself in the UAE during the winter.
“The DP World Tour has played an important part in the growth of golf in the region and it’s encouraging to see that Ras Al Khaimah has remained on our schedule over the last three years.
“Al Hamra Golf Club is an excellent venue and we’re excited to go back there later this month.”
Harrington is bidding for his first success in the Middle East with the aim of securing a record-breaking victory.
“I’m looking forward to returning to the United Arab Emirates and Al Hamra Golf Club in particular,” added Harrington. “One of my goals is to break Miguel Angel Jiménez’s record in becoming the oldest winner in DP World Tour history and I feel as though the course in Ras Al Khaimah is a venue where that could be possible.
“Anything can happen in any given week, but my game feels in great shape and I’m looking forward to competing in the Middle East again.”
The tournament will be the third consecutive event played in the United Arab Emirates, following on from the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic as part of the International Swing on the new-look 2024 Race to Dubai.
The pair will be joined by four-time DP World Tour winner and Dubai resident Rafa Cabrera Bello, who also represented Europe at the Ryder Cup in 2016, and Tom McKibbin, who claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.
Also teeing it up in Ras Al Khaimah are defending champion Daniel Gavins, the Danish pair of Rasmus Højgaard and Thorbjørn Olesen and Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal – who have amassed a combined 22 victories on the DP World Tour.
Additionally, rising stars Dan Bradbury, Alex Fitzpatrick, Yannik Paul and Jordan Smith will also be competing at Al Hamra in the highly-anticipated event.
Away from the thrilling action on the course, the tournament boasts a number of fun-filled activities in the Championship Village that make it the perfect family day out.
Singing princesses, a long putt challenge, face painting and balloon artist will keep the little ones entertained, while parents can enjoy some of the delicious F&B on offer and live music after every round from some of the UAE’s favourite artists.
Fans can enjoy free general admission to the Ras Al Khaimah Championship and can register for tickets here. Spectators can also upgrade their experience with tickets available for the Championship Chalet, which overlooks the 18th green, from AED 900, or the Clubhouse Terrace, from AED 160.
