From the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia to South Africa. From the DP World Tour to the Asian Tour via the Challenge Tour. A week of important appointments for golf’s Azzurri who, from 2 to 5 February, will perform in various international green circuits.
After the Hero Desert Classic show, which saw Rory McIlroy – world number 1 – prevail in Dubai on his debut in 2023, the DP World Tour is back in the limelight with the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.
Dp, schedule
In the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, in an event that guarantees 2 million dollars in prize money, there will be two Azzurri in the race: with Edoardo Molinari, vice-captain of the Europe team at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, there will be Guido Migliozzi from Vicenza.
Both returning from the exit to the cut in Dubai, seek redemption on the top continental men’s circuit. Among Migliozzi’s objectives, also that of returning to the Italian number 1 after overtaking Francesco Molinari (who will enjoy a rest session this week before returning to play on the PGA Tour in America).
In the second edition of the tournament, the Danish Nicolai Hojgaard will defend the title who, in 2022, dominated the match by four strokes behind the English Jordan Smith. Among the favorites of the eve are Victor Perez, Ryan Fox, Adrian Otaegui and Adrian Meronk.
At the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, on the Asian Tour, Italy will be represented on the course by Filippo Celli and Stefano Mazzoli. An important occasion for the Roman and the Lombard, both in the PIF Saudi International field, a race that has a prize pool of 5 million dollars (1,000,000 will go to the winner).
The American Harold Varner III, after last year’s exploits, will look for an encore. But in Saudi Arabia there will also be Major champions such as Dustin Johnson (champion in 2019 and 2021), Cameron Smith (number 4 in the world), Brooks Koepka, Bryson De Chambeau, Patrick Reed (fresh from second place in Dubai on the DP World Tour), Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell (among the past winners, he signed the feat in 2020), all aces of the green and among the faces of the Arab Super League, the LIV Golf.
In South Africa, however, the 2023 Challenge Tour season is ready to begin. In Cape Town, in the Bain’s Whiskey Open, six Azzurri are competing. With Renato Paratore and Francesco Laporta – who after a not exciting 2022 are looking for a breakthrough – here are also Matteo Manassero, Andrea Pavan, Lorenzo Scalise and Lorenzo Gagli.
The prize money is 350,000 dollars and the South African Juan Carlo Ritchie will not take part in the appointment, because he is engaged on the DP World Tour, in 2022.
