Hero Dubai Desert Classic brough four days of world-class golf, big crowds and even bigger vibes as Patrick Reed is the winner
The American star Patrick Reed finished on an impressive -14, cruising to victory at Emirates Golf Club and walking away with a $9 million prize. Not a bad weekend, right? Chasing him down was England’s Andy Sullivan, who secured second place on -10, while France’s Julien Guerrier rounded out the podium in third at -9. Safe to say, Reed absolutely flew to the top of the leaderboard this year.
A tournament that always delivers
Landing in Dubai from January 22 to 25, the 37th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic once again proved why it’s one of the most anticipated stops on the DP World Tour calendar. First teed off back in 1989, it’s the oldest professional golf event in the Middle East and a flagship Rolex Series event – meaning the world’s golfing elite show up, every single time.
Last year saw Tyrrell Hatton lift the trophy, with Rory McIlroy winning the year before. This time around, McIlroy finished tied 33rd on -2, alongside reigning champion Hatton – proving just how tough the field was in 2026.
More than just golf
As always, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic was about way more than fairways and putts. Even if you don’t know a birdie from a bogey, this was a full-blown weekend out.
Tournament Town brought live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, wellness pop-ups and plenty of family-friendly fun. Think of it as Dubai’s coolest brunch – but on a golf course.
Dallah Lounge was for those feeling fancy… The elevated Dallah Lounge sat perfectly between the 9th and 18th greens, serving up gourmet food, flowing drinks and stunning views.
Vibes or golf?
What’s On was there all weekend, putting fans to the test to see if they were there for the vibes… or for the golf. Spoiler alert: it was very much both.
Check out the fun video below, how many questions did you get right?
Image: Golfweek website
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