The international swing continues with the first regular DP World Tour event of 2025 taking place at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Here are five things you need to know.
olson defends
Following Thorbjørn Olesen's stunning six-stroke victory 12 months ago, we're back to the scene of last season's most comprehensive victory. The Dane held a four-shot lead over Rasmus Hojgaard heading into the final day at Al Hamra Golf Club, but his lead evaporated within seven holes as his compatriot made a stunning start. However, a stunning eagle and the next three shots changed the day completely, and Olson won comfortably at 27 under after a final 67. “It's very special,” said Olsen, who is from the United Arab Emirates and whose family was also present. See his victory. “Being here with (son) Cooper makes it even more special. It's still a battle, it's close and you have one of the most talented players behind you, so I know it's going to be tough “We took the lead pretty quickly and I hit some good golf and made the right putts at the right time.” The win was Olson's eighth on the DP World Tour. Victory, he is the only player to win in each of the last three seasons – Can he get his fourth win this week with a successful defense?
The race to catch Hatton begins
Tyrrell Hatton's victory at last week's Hero Dubai Desert Classic puts him comfortably atop the international swing rankings, but there are six more to come, including this week. race, and 20,000 Dubai Race points, are all still up for grabs. The winner of this week will receive 585,000 points, and the golf global tour will also include the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, Commerzbank Qatar Masters, Magic Kenya Open, Investec South Africa Open and Joburg Open. Daniel Shearer's victory this week would even see the New Zealander move above Hatton, who said after his runner-up finish at Emirates Golf Club: “One of my goals is to get off to a better start than I have in the past few seasons.” International Swing The winner will qualify for all nine races in the second stage of the Dubai Race and receive a $200,000 prize. There is also an exemption to the Genesis Scottish Open up for grabs. The chase begins.
Major champions unveiled
This week, three major champions will come together, including Ras Al Khaimah regulars Padraig Harrington (Jimmy Walker) and Patrick Reed (Patrick Reed). Irishman Harrington is best known for winning three majors in 13 months, winning two Open Championships and a PGA Championship, and has since added to his remarkable resume Added Ryder Cup captain status. He has finished in the top 30 in the event in each of the past two seasons and said in Dubai last week that at 53 he still has big dreams for the game. Walker won the 2016 PGA Championship, his sixth victory on the 2016 PGA Tour. Three years later, he became a Ryder Cup player in 2014 and 2016 before health issues impacted his career. However, top 15 finishes at last season's Irish and Spanish National Opens suggest he could still be in contention for a first regular DP World Tour title this week. Meanwhile, Reed, who just finished in the top 10 in Dubai last week, is also looking for his first regular-season win following his 2018 Masters victory and two World Golf Championship victories.
Robert Carlson returns
Harrington isn't the only DP World Tour royal this week, with Robert Karlsson also making his first start since the 2021 BMW PGA Championship. The towering Swede enters the week with 634 DP World Tour appearances, 11 wins and the Harry Varden Trophy since 2008. He also played in two Ryder Cups and served as vice-captain twice before moving into the senior ranks at the age of 55. Welcome back Robert!
In the field
The Ras Al Khaimah Championship is the first regular DP World Tour event of 2025, following the Team Cup and Rolex Series Hero Dubai Desert Classic, and the players competing there all have different ambitions. For dual-member players like Paul Waring and Ryan Fox, it's a chance to accumulate crucial Race to Dubai points before the PGA Tour season begins, while for some Restarting their DP World Tour season in Dubai after missing competition. HotelPlanner Tour graduates Oliver Lindell and Angel Ayora return after impressive starts to the season, as does Global Amateur Pathway ranking champion Ding Wenyi The last player in the field.