Clarke and Singh set to wow their fans at Dubai Desert Classic

Sport360 staff 08:02 04/01/2016
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  • Both Jeev Milkha Singh (L) and Darren Clarke are extremely well-loved by fans in Dubai.

    Darren Clarke and Jeev Milkha Singh – captains of Europe and Asia respectively for this month’s EurAsia Cup – will renew their healthy rivalry albeit on an individual basis when they compete alongside a strong field in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from February 4 to 7.

    Clarke will also captain the European Ryder Cup team when the biennial tournament against the USA is played later in the year, while Singh is one of the most respected figures in Asian golf.

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    Both are perennial crowd favourites in Dubai and enjoy long-time affinity with the tournament. Clarke, the 2011 Open champion, will be making his 21st appearance in the event and is also Patron of the MENA Golf Tour. Singh, a golf in DUBAi ambassador, is making his 20th start in the longest-running European Tour event in the region.

    Singh is a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion who has won 20 tournaments around the world, including four titles on the European Tour.

    The 44-year-old from Chandigarh has struggled with injuries these last couple of years, but was feeling a lot better physically towards the end of last year.

     “The aim is to try and win the tournament. I know I am close, but when it comes to winning a tournament, it also depends on the mindset that week and how you deal with the pressure,” said Singh.

    “I have won tournaments in different parts of the world, but winning in Dubai would be special. Being an ambassador of golf in DUBAi, the tournament is very close to my heart. I have always felt very good being there. In fact, I call it a home away from home.

    “It’s a great honour to be part of the ‘golf in DUBAi’ team. They have done a tremendous job in raising the golfing profile of this brilliant city. They’re lovely people and look after us so well.”

    Fitter and stronger after stepping up his exercise regime, Clarke is equally excited about his participation in the event.

    “I have seen Dubai grow dramatically over the years with my regular appearances here,” said the popular Ulsterman, winner of 22 events across the globe, including 14 on the European Tour.

    “I am more comfortable with myself, just trying to be a lot more consistent. I just want to play some good golf. I am going to continue working on all the things I have been recently.

    “My policy is to work hard and just keep going,” added Clarke, who provides strategic input into the planning, implementation and management of dynamic programmes relating to the MENA Golf Tour as its Patron.

    About the EurAsia Cup, Clarke said: “It is going to give me a great opportunity to see a lot of potential Ryder Cup players in a match play and team situation, and looking to the future, I think any prospective Ryder Cup Captain would relish the opportunity to put some pairings together and see how guys play together and bond.”

    Calling the pair great friends of Dubai, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf DUBAi, said: “We look forward to welcoming Darren and Jeev and I am confident their wealth of experience and global profile will bring special energy to the tournament.

    “My congratulations to both of them for being appointed captains for the EurAsia Cup, an honour they thoroughly deserved. Being good friends, I am sure they will relish the challenge.”

    The Omega Dubai Desert Classic is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC as sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, JA Resorts and Hotels, Mercedes-Benz and Wasl.

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