Expo 2020 Dubai and OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic join forces at Emirates Golf Club
Dubai, 21 January: To mark the 31st edition of the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, which will be taking place between 23rd to 26th January, 2020, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, 2017 champion Sergio Garcia, 2017 Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood, Ryder Cup talisman Ian Poulter and up-and-coming amateur Josh Hill were joined by two of the official Expo 2020 Dubai mascots – eight-year-old Emirati girl Latifa, and her nine-year-old brother, Rashid.
The group photo took place at Emirates Golf Club, with the players and mascots converging on the eighth hole of the renowned Majlis Course. With the iconic Dubai skyline serving as a dramatic backdrop, the strength of the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic field was displayed in all its glory.
The 132-man line-up includes 16 of the world’s top 50 ranked players, 35 of the top 100, nine Major champions with 12 Major titles between them, two former world number ones, six Race to Dubai winners, 25 Ryder Cup players, 11 former OMEGA Dubai Desert champions, 34 players who have five or more European Tour victories and 95 of the top 115 on the final 2019 Race to Dubai Rankings.
Despite boasting one of its strongest ever fields, the line-up was further strengthened by the official mascots of Expo 2020. Together, these intrepid siblings will be helping the millions of visitors to Expo 2020 (20th October 2020 to 10th April 2021), explore the world-changing innovations revealed at past World Expos and discover all about The World’s Greatest Show of human brilliance and achievement. Some 25 million visits are anticipated to the mega-event.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau was keen to emphasise the challenge he faced if he was to retain his title in Dubai, commenting: “Being with everyone lined up for this photo makes you realise the quality of this event and the strength of the field. I am excited to be back in Dubai with these great players and look forward to battling to retain the Dallah trophy. In the meantime, it was awesome to meet both Latifa and Rashid, ahead of this year’s Expo 2020 Dubai!”
Simon Corkill, Tournament Director, who joined the photo call said: “When I see these fantastic international players gathered on the award-winning Majlis Course, it’s clear how far golf in Dubai has come since our first tournament back in 1989. The OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic is committed to delivering a world-class golf tournament and as you can see from the players participating in this photo call, our 2020 field of players, including our defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, more than lives up to this expectation.”
To purchase hospitality, season or daily tickets, go to: https://www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com/buy-tickets/
For more information on the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, visit: https://www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com/
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
The OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, often referred to as the “Major of the Middle East”, is among the most highly anticipated golfing events; showcasing seasoned talent from around the world and attracting up and coming stars of tomorrow. Past champions include last year’s winner Bryson DeChambeau, Seve Ballesteros, Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Danny Willett, Henrik Stenson, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, Jose Maria Olazabal and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
The 31st edition will take place from 23-26 January 2020, with much more to celebrate on and off the course. Enhancements to the F&B offer take inspiration from around the world, alongside the addition of contemporary art and live entertainment, that that will make this event a great day out for golfers and non-golfers alike. https://www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com/
Tournament Owner Falcon and Associates’ remit is to respond to strategic Dubai initiatives and own/operate commercially viable world-class events that further position Dubai as an innovative and tolerant global centre of excellence. Both the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic and OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic are organised and promoted by Falcon. http://www.falconandassociates.ae
Tournament partners
OMEGA, renowned for its innovative watchmaking, is title sponsor of both the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic and OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic. Through its association with many of the world’s most high-profile competitions, organisations and players, OMEGA is committed to supporting the game’s rising stars and introducing golf to a new generation of fans.
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), founding partner of the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic, is the world’s largest ‘premium aluminium’ producer and the biggest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas. EGA’s long term support for the tournament demonstrates their corporate commitment to the socio-economic development of the UAE as well as to promoting the country internationally.
Other partners: BMW, CNN, JA Resorts & Hotels, Wasl and Emirates NBD
Patrons of the event are: Motivate Media Group, Byrne Equipment Rental, The National and Dubai Duty Free
About Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together millions of people for the World’s Greatest Show, celebrating human brilliance and achievement under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
The six months from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 will be a moment in time to be part of an unparalleled event. We are extending a warm Emirati welcome to the world:
25 million visits are expected, with many visitors expected to come more than once 70 per cent of visitors anticipated to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 169-year history of World Expos
An entertaining global celebration with something for everyone, Expo 2020 will wow visitors with 60 daily events across 173 days, showcasing the best of music, technology, creativity and culture, while 200 F&B outlets will feature famous chefs and cuisine from every corner of the world Expo 2020 will be an endless journey of discovery. Visitors will have access to the latest innovations and breakthroughs, with more than 200 participants – including 192 nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions – coming together to highlight real-life solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges Expo 2020’s sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability will inspire visitors to make a conscious effort to think and live differently, and give them renewed optimism that, through collaboration, it is possible to make a lasting change to the world The first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) will be located on a 4.38 sqkm site adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Media are invited to register for access to the Expo 2020 Dubai Media Information System, Tawassul, at https://media.expo2020dubai.com. Tawassul, meaning ‘connect’ in Arabic, is an essential operational tool connecting media to important information and updates on elements such as media accreditation, licences and permits and content assets. If you have not already submitted an expression of interest for media accreditation, please register for Tawassul to access the expression of interest form. For enquiries, email: media.services@expo2020.ae.
Visit: www.expo2020dubai.com
Follow: Twitter: @expo2020dubai | Facebook: @Expo2020Dubai | Instagram: expo2020dubai
About World Expos
In 1851 the Crystal Palace was the centrepiece of London’s Great Exhibition – the first World Expo. It celebrated the man-made industrial wonders of a rapidly changing world. Architecture, contents and a theme, ‘Industry of All Nations’, were combined to create a big idea of nations meeting nations in shared technological and commercial progress. In more recent years, participants in World Expos, including governments, international organisations and companies, have gathered to find solutions to universal challenges and to promote their achievements, products, ideas, innovations, their national brand, and their nations as destinations for tourism, trade and investment.
World Expos are held under the auspices of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the intergovernmental organisation responsible for overseeing and regulating international exhibitions (‘Expos’) and for fostering their core values of Education, Innovation and Cooperation. Today, four types of Expos are organised under the BIE’s auspices: World Expos, Specialised Expos, Horticultural Expos and the Triennale di Milano.
