World No. 2 headlines a lineup at Emirates Golf Club that includes Major, Ryder Cup, Rolex Series winners, and leading amateurs DUBAI: Several established stars and emerging talent are set to tee off at the 35th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic from Jan. 18 to 21. World No. 2 and defending champion Rory McIlroy headlines the field at the first Rolex Series event of the 2024 Race to Dubai, as he seeks to lift the famous Dallah trophy for a historic fourth time. The Northen Irishman will be joined by fellow Major winners, including reigning Open champion Brian Harman who makes his debut at the iconic event, as well as Padraig Harrington, Francesco Molinari and Adam Scott. Most recent Rolex Series winner Nicolai Hojgaard — who triumphed in Dubai at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship — is joined by his twin brother and four-time DP World Tour winner Rasmus. Also in the lineup is Adrian Meronk, a three-time champion in 2023, and Ryan Fox, who claimed his fourth DP World Tour victory and first on the Rolex Series last season. Meanwhile rising PGA TOUR star Cameron Young is set to make his tournament debut. Victorious European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald returns to take on the Majlis Course once again, alongside stars of that famous victory in Rome Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton. The classic will also showcase up-and-coming stars, with PGA TOUR University No. 1 Michael Thorbjornsen returning after taking low amateur honors with his top 20 finish last season. His fellow amateur and 2023 Walker Cup winner Caleb Surratt will make his debut, while the event also welcomes UAE player Joshua Grenville-Wood, who impressed on tour last season with a tied sixth-place finish at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the classic, said: “We are eagerly awaiting the return of the top stars from the DP World Tour to the Majlis course for this year’s historic edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. The 35th edition promises to be the best Dubai Desert Classic on record.” The tournament was recently accredited as the first GEO-Certified event in the Middle East, and the first in the DP World Tour’s Rolex Series. GEO Certification is an industry leading standard that recognizes leadership and action in environmental and social responsibility.