The Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic takes place at Emirates Golf Club this week, with the tournament beginning on Wednesday. Here are the details.
What is it?
Although in its 14th edition, the Ladies European Tour (LET) event was rebranded last year - it was formerly the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters - and moved from its traditional base at the Majlis course to the Faldo Course on the same site.
The time slot shifted too, with the now 54-hole tournament becoming the world's first professional day-night tour event, meaning half the field compete under the floodlights each day - some tee off as late as 4:35pm. Last year's event took place in May.
Running across three days, 56 players are slated to compete for the $285,000 prize fund, while more than 160 amateurs get to play the first two days alongside the professionals in a Pro-Am format.
In line with public health guidelines, the tournament will be played behind closed doors and held within a bio-secure environment.
When is it?
November 4-6
Where is it?
Faldo Course, Emirates Golf Club. A par-72 layout, it was redesigned in 2005 by six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo.
Who is playing?
Former world No 1 and two-time major champion Lydia Ko makes her Dubai debut, while world No 9 Minjee Lee is the highest-ranked player in the field.
England’s Georgia Hall, the 2018 Women’s British Open champion competes also, alongside former LET Rookie of the Year Charley Hull. Hull has already tasted success in the UAE, winning last year’s Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi.
Practice days @EmiratesGC 😍
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) November 2, 2020
Getting ready for day 1 of the OMEGA Dubai Moonlight Classic 🌇 #ODMC #TimeToShine #RaiseOurGame pic.twitter.com/aR0mltSstA
World Golf Hall of Famer Dame Laura Davies and Europe's successful 2019 Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew tee it up too, while Dubai is represented in the form of 14-year-old amateur Chiara Noja and South African Alison Muirhead. Both Dubai residents received sponsor's invites. In all, this week's field comprises more than 20 LET winners.
Past champions
Although its guise has changed dramatically, the tournament's impressive roll call of winners includes Annika Sorenstam, who won the first two events in 2006 and 2007 respectively, and four-time champion Shanshan Feng, who dominated the event between 2014 and 2016, with three victories. Defending champion, Spain's Nuria Iturrioz, returns after her one-stroke triumph last year.
How to watch
Golf fans in the UAE can catch the action on TV on Dubai Sports.
