Daniel Gavins hopes that returning to a happy hunting ground can lead to an upturn in form as he prepares to defend his Ras Al Khaimah Championship title at Al Hamra Golf Club.
The Englishman claimed his second DP World Tour victory in dramatic circumstances last year as he found the water twice on the 72nd hole, and then made a double-bogey putt from nearly 27 feet to win by one stroke from Alexander Björk and Zander Lombard.
“I knew I had a 27-foot putt. It was uphill, a nice right-to-left putt and it just went straight in the middle,” said Gavins who has struggled for consistency since his victory last year. “I was putting well all week, the birdies were flying in. When I got on the green I was confident and I managed to roll it in. I’m looking forward to playing here, the course is in good condition again so it’ll be nice to get out there.”
He faces stiff competition this week from a field which includes a resurgent Li Haotong, who has started his 2024 Race to Dubai campaign in fine fashion with a T14 finish at the Dubai Invitational and a share of seventh place at last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The Chinese believes that hard work during the winter break has paid dividends and he will go in search of a fourth DP World Tour victory this week. The 28-year-old also has fond memories of Al Hamra after finishing T3 at this tournament’s first edition in 2022.
“Definitely from those two weeks (in Dubai) I gained a lot of confidence,” said Haotong. “And now I’m just making myself more and more comfortable. Looking forward to playing this week, I have great memories from two years ago, I finished third here. It’s going to be good.
“I was trying super hard, I played every single day during the winter time. So many people behind me, parents, friends, telling me how good I am, reminding me I can do this. I’ve been thinking that if I had worked this hard and still couldn’t make anything I would find something else to do. But the results tell me I can keep going. It’s good to be here and playing golf, it’s such a nice thing to do.”
Also teeing it up is Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, who is looking to join his twin brother Nicolai on this event’s roll of honour after Nicolai claimed the title in 2022. Rasmus finished the 2023 season with an 11th placed finish at the DP World Tour Championship and he has matched that result at each of his two starts at the start of 2024, with a share of 11th at both events held in Dubai.
“I love being here,” said the four-time DP World Tour winner. “It’s always nice to start the season here, we’ve done it for a few years now. Travelling out early, just before New Year or just after and spending ten days in a practice camp before the events start so you feel like your game is ready for when the tournaments start. It’s nice to be out here, the golf courses are good and the weather is a big positive compared to what it’s like at home at the moment. I always enjoy being here.
“I have been putting very good, that obviously helps a lot. I haven’t been as good tee to green as I showed at the end of last season. But it’s nice to get going, you figure out what you need to sharpen up. I’m in a lot better place this year than I was last year, especially being injury free. The last two weeks have been good. Playing some good golf. Two quiet Sundays, but the game is trending and I’m looking forward to this week.”
Local representation comes from Ahmed Al Musharrekh (Sharjah Golf Club), Joshua Grenville-Wood (The Els Club), Jonathan Selvaraj (Emirates Golf Federation) and Viktor Kofod-Olsen (Emirates Golf Club).
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.
As well as watching the DP World Tour stars on the course, there’s an array of exciting activities available for spectators aside from the golf. The Championship Village is set to host a plethora of food trucks from the UAE’s favourite eateries, while fun children’s activities and live music on each tournament day will keep the whole family entertained in what is certain to be another memorable week of golf in the UAE.
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