SPORTING LEGENDS TENDULKAR AND MCILROY SWAP TIPS ON THE PUTTING GREEN AS GUERRIER, HØJGAARD AND PAVON SET THE PACE ON DAY 1 OF THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland receives a gift of a signed India jersey and cricket stump from Sachin Tendulkar, former Indian cricket player during Day One of the DP World Tour Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates on November 16, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)
Thursday 16 November 2023, Dubai, UAE
The 15th edition of the DP World Tour Championship is well and truly underway, with three players – Julien Guerrier, Nicolai Højgaard and Matthieu Pavon – tied at the top of the leaderboard after shooting five under par 67s. Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy finds himself tied in 15th place after shooting 71 in an eventful round that saw his tee shot on the 13th hole end up in the lap of a spectator.
Sachin Tendulkar swaps the cricket pitch for the putting green
Away from the course, cricket legend and DP World Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar paid a visit to Jumeirah Golf Estates, where he tested his putting skills with Ryan Fox on the practice green. Tendulkar, the highest run scorer in international cricket, also met McIlroy and presented him with a signed shirt and cricket stump, with the Northern Irishman offering some golfing tips and a signed DP World Tour Championship pin flag in return.
Celebrating 15 on the 15th
The Wicked Bar on the 15th hole officially opened, offering the first 15 visitors to walk through the doors free cake and bubbles from 15:00, in recognition of the 15th edition of the tournament. Those who missed it shouldn’t worry – the bar will be running the promotion throughout the DP World Tour Championship to continue the milestone celebrations.
Championship Village action
Today saw the beginning of the event’s off-course entertainment programme in the Championship Village, with Irish singer Conleth McGeary performing on the main stage. The day’s action-packed entertainment programme also included magic tricks, drumming workshops and bubble shows, free golf lessons, trick shot shows and delicious F&B options from around the world.
Golf Futures Programme
The DP World Tour Championship welcomed 22 students from Safa Community School in Dubai as part of its Golf Futures Programme, set up to educate and inspire future generations on the opportunities that come from following golf and the wide range of careers available in live sport and entertainment. In addition to watching some of the world’s best players battle it out on the Earth course, the students were taken on a behind the scenes tour of the venue and enjoyed the entertainment on offer in the Championship Village.
Timing update – delayed start on Friday 17th November
Due to the inclement weather forecast, including predicted overnight rainfall and threat of lightning, the second round of the DP World Tour Championship 2023 will be played as a two-tee start with the first tee time at 11:00am. The first round of the G4D Grand Finale will be reduced to 9 holes and the first tee time for the G4D Grand Finale will be 10:15am off the 10th tee.
