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- The play-offs, comprising the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, tee off next month
- Waring, last year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner, was a special guest at the launch event at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
DUBAI: With less than a month to go until the DP World Tour Play-Offs return to the UAE for their second edition, reigning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Paul Waring was among those in attendance at the official launch on Wednesday.
The countdown is on following last year’s successful inaugural event, comprising the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, which saw course records broken at Yas Links and record crowds at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The action begins with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which will celebrate its 20th edition, taking place from Nov. 6-9. The leading 70 players on the Race to Dubai rankings will battle it out for the prestigious Falcon Trophy before the field is reduced to the top 50 players at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship from Nov. 13-16. The Race to Dubai champion will then be crowned.
Reigning champion Rory McIlroy secured a Dubai double last season, winning the DP World Tour Championship for a record-equaling third time and claiming the Harry Vardon Trophy for a sixth time, matching the tally of the late, great Seve Ballesteros.
At Yas Links last year, it was the launch’s special guest, Waring, in the spotlight. He held off a stellar field, including McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, to claim his first Rolex Series title.
“Winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last season was one of the most memorable moments of my golf career,” said Waring.
“Having two back-to-back Rolex Series events to close out the season in the UAE was incredibly exciting, especially now that I’m based here. Although I won’t be competing this year due to injury, I’m really looking forward to watching the action unfold at both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the DP World Tour Championship.”
The launch was also attended by Aref Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and General Abdullah Al-Hashmi, the president of the Emirates Golf Federation. Also present were Daniel van Otterdijk, chief communications officer for DP World, and Richard Bunn, chief revenue and content officer of DP World Tour.
“We are delighted to welcome the world’s best golfers to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs,” Al-Awani said. “The two events represent a platform that brings together elite golfers from around the world. The 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship highlights the incredible growth of golf in the UAE and our nation’s success in hosting major international tournaments. Hosting this milestone event in the Emirate reinforces its position as a global sporting destination, offering a world-class experience for both players and fans.”
Race to Dubai leader McIlroy has already confirmed his attendance at both events as he aims to move a step closer to Colin Montgomerie’s record of eight season-long titles. Also announced for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship were 2025 European Ryder Cup stars Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, Vice Captain Alex Noren and Nicolai Hojgaard, who will join McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Hatton and Robert MacIntyre.
Noren, Hatton, Fitzpatrick, Ramus Hojgaard, MacIntyre and Justin Rose — members of Europe’s triumphant 2025 Ryder Cup team — have also been confirmed for the DP World Tour Championship, along with 2023 champion Nicolai Hojgaard.
Al-Hashmi said: “Having worked alongside the DP World Tour for more than 30 years, we are proud of what has been achieved during that time. The launch of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last season reflected the trust the Tour has placed in the UAE, with this year’s second staging set to deliver two weeks of world-class golf that will once again showcase our country on the global stage.”
Meanwhile Tom Phillips, director of Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “After the hugely successful debut of the DP World Tour Play-Offs last year, we are thrilled to bring back two of the region’s most prestigious sporting events on consecutive weekends. This unique format creates a truly compelling finale to the season, combining world-class golf with the excitement and energy of the UAE.”