Dubai - Event

The Dubai Desert Classic is held at the Emirates Golf Club, the first grass golf course in the Middle East. Its lush fairways are in stark contrast to the surrounding desert terrain, which provides the course with many natural hazards.

Henrik Stenson edged out Ernie Els and Tiger Woods in 2006 to win by one shot and take home more than €300,000.

The PGA European Tour and its American counterpart, the PGA Tour, are the richest and most celebrated golfing competitions in the world. While the lure of the dollar has enticed many players to the US, the European Tour remains an extremely lucrative alternative and now includes events as far afield as South Africa, Australia, Qatar, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

For the European stars on the Tour there is more at stake than pure financial reward: the top ten players are automatically selected for the European Team to play against the US in the Ryder Cup. Save winning one of the majors, competing in this competition is the pinnacle of a golfer's career.