Freshly crowned European Tour Rookie of the Year Robert MacIntyre will lead an impressive cast of rising stars at next month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, joining an already superb field at Emirates Golf Club.
Scotland’s MacIntyre will be joined the likes of European Tour winners Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Guido Migliozzi, Erik Van Rooyen and impressive youngsters Adri Arnaus and Matthias Schwab in Dubai where they will go toe-to-toe with defending champion Byrson DeChambeau, Major champions Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett and Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Rafa Cabrera Bello.
Follow in the Footsteps
MacIntyre finished 2019 as the leading rookie in 11th place in the Race to Dubai following runner-up finishes at the British Masters and the Made in Denmark and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Rory McIlroy in winning his first Tour title on the Majlis Course.
“This year really couldn’t have gone much better,” said the 23-year old, who finished in a tie for sixth on his first Major appearance at the Open at Royal Portrush and became the first Scot since Marc Warren in 2006 to be named Rookie of the Year.
“I’ve come close to winning on a few occasions, which has been a great experience. I learned a lot each time and feel it is just a matter of time until I put it all together and win. If that were to be in Dubai, it would be amazing. The Scots have a pretty good record in Dubai, so I’d love to follow on from Stephen Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie by putting my name on the trophy too.” – Robert MacIntyre
Much like MacIntyre in 2019, Van Rooyen had spent much of the previous 18 months knocking on the door of a first European Tour title, which subsequently came in June this year at the Scandinavian Invitation. The 29-year old also posted three runner-up finishes and seven additional top-10s for a career-best 10th place finish in the Race to Dubai.
“This has been a great year, but I hope it’s just the beginning,” said the South African. “To win in Sweden was an amazing moment in my career, but I have been just as pleased with the consistency I have shown this year and I want to build on that in 2020.”
Migliozzi is coming off a highly impressive first European Tour campaign with two victories at the Magical Kenya Open and Belgian Knockout en route to 40th place on the Race to Dubai. The Italian will arrive in the UAE looking to kickstart his second season in style by adding another title to his burgeoning resume.
“I cannot wait to play at Emirates Golf Club,” said the 22-year old, who would become the first Italian to win the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic title. “This has been an incredible first season, but I’m not going to stop here. I want this to be the start of a long career and the more I play in tournaments of this stature, the better I will get.
The 31st edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is set to take place from 23-26 January.
