DP World officially marked the one-month countdown to the 11th edition of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship and inaugural EDGA Dubai Finale at Jumeirah Golf, Estates, as Irish professional Brendan Lawlor hit a ceremonial tee shot off the first tee of the iconic Earth course.
This year’s DP World Tour Championship will witness one of the most exclusive fields in world golf with only the top 50 players on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings eligible to compete in the prestigious event from November 21-24.
To celebrate the UAE’s Year of Tolerance, EDGA Dubai Finale star Lawlor was invited to take the first tee shot as His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Golf Federation and Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director of DP World, watched on along with the UAE’s boys 13 and Under National Golf Team and children from the Dubai Heights Academy.
Lawlor is one of eight Golfers of Determination who will be taking part in the inaugural EDGA Dubai Finale, a 36-hole tournament that will be played in conjunction with the DP World Tour Championship – a Rolex Series event – using the same course set-up as the European Tour’s elite players.
As well as taking the first ceremonial tee shot, the 22-year-old hosted an inclusive coaching clinic for the Students of Determination from Dubai Heights Academy and the UAE’s 13 and Under Boys National Team, who recently won the bronze medal at the Pan Arab Golf Championships in Egypt.
The introduction of the EDGA tournament marks the first time a Golfers of Determination competition has been hosted in conjunction with a European Tour event in the region, following the successful EDGA Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club, which Lawlor won, and builds on the Year of Tolerance and DP World’s commitment to driving an inclusive and tolerant culture across its business, sponsorship platform and the wider UAE community.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director of DP World, said: “DP World aims to build a better future for everyone and it’s great to see, first-hand, children of all ages, backgrounds, genders and abilities playing a sport that means so much to our business.
“Golf is much more than just a game, it’s a platform for us to inspire people through the DP World Tour Championship and our partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation to build a more inclusive society.”
Tom Phillips, Head of European Tour Middle East, said: “We are extremely proud to be celebrating the 11th edition of the DP World Tour Championship. Through the excellent partnership we have with DP World, we have been able to deliver a first-class tournament that has helped put Dubai at the forefront of the international sporting world as well as grow golf locally by attracting new fans and new players to the game.”
There are four events remaining on the 2019 European Tour calendar before the DP World Tour Championship, including the Portugal Masters, WGC Champions, Turkish Airlines Open and Nedbank Challenge.
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger leads the way with 4,198.2 points, followed by Spain’s Jon Rahm in second place on 3,898.3 points.
