A few days ago, Tony Finau let it be known that he will continue on the PGA Tour, although this may be a negotiation strategy, setting aside rumours linking him to a possible move to Jon Rahm‘s team at LIV Golf. Now, two other players have temporarily parked the rumours of an imminent exodus to the Saudi rebel league. Tyrrell Hatton, a friend and teammate of the Spaniard in the Ryder, and Brian Harman, the current champion of the Open Championship, have confirmed their presence at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series of the new DP World Tour calendar to be held at the iconic Emirates Golf Club from 18 to 21 January.
These are two names that had been strongly mentioned as potential signings for Rahm’s squad that he will captain at LIV in 2024, but this news confirms for now that at least at the beginning of the year they are not moving from their respective places. However, this does not prevent either Hatton or Harman from deciding to make a U-turn in their PGA Tour careers and jump to the mega-millionaire circuit financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. In any case, it seems to be a statement of intent that their short-term plans are to continue where they are, but we insist that it is not exclusive that they compete in Dubai and then migrate to LIV for the first tournament of the course to be held in Mayakoba from 2 to 4 February.
Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and American Cameron Young also confirmed this Wednesday that they will play the 35th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, joining the defending champion and world number two, Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy.
Harman sealed his first Major at Royal Liverpool last July, achieved six top-ten results (including two second places) on the PGA Tour and made his Ryder Cup debut in Rome in September. The world number nine, who will make his debut at the Dubai event, said: “I’m excited to play there for the first time. It’s an impressive place where great champions have won. I would love to add my name to that list!”.
Hatton has four top-ten results in his nine previous appearances at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He has also had recent joys in the Persian Gulf and the last of his six DP World Tour titles came at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi in 2021. The world number 12 will seek to match Rahm’s record, who has five victories in the Rolex Series. “It’s always a great tournament and I’ve played well in the past. I’m really looking forward to returning to the Emirates Golf Club and I hope to contribute to my success in the Persian Gulf”, Hatton highlighted.
Fleetwood, a six-time winner of the DP World Tour and resident of Dubai, is more familiar with the Majlis course, as the world number 14 returns for his thirteenth consecutive appearance at the event. “It’s a tournament I love, I’ve played the Hero Dubai Desert Classic every year since I joined the Tour. I look forward to playing again in front of friends and family in January”, the Englishman pointed out.
