In this issue

Rory McIlroy will make his first appearance at Abu Dhabi since 2018, Justin Thomas his Middle East debut. Such marquee signings would normally headline the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but the opening of the 2021 European Tour season has so much more intrigue. With reigning Race to Dubai champion and European Tour player of the year, Lee Westwood on the cover, the January edition of Golf Digest Middle East is your essential guide to the Desert Swing opener, complete with its unexpected PGA Tour twist. There are also tips from the "Golf Fix" guy, Michael Breed, Dubai Creek's own Euan Bowden, tips to negotiate the toughest hole at Jack Nicklaus Ajman creation Al Zorah, plus an in-depth guide to golf in George, South Africa to keep your passion for travel on simmer in these challenging times. All this and much more in your essential Middle East golf companion, Golf Digest Middle East.

A First for Tiger Woods

Payne’s Valley in Missouri is his public debut

3 mins

Sami Välimäki

The 2020 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie-of-theYear hopes to continue his new love affair with desert golf to keep his name on captain Pádraig Harrington’s Ryder Cup radar

3 mins

THE BEST OF BREED

The former Golf Channel host shares tips to make 2021 your best golf year ever

6 mins

Intriguing entrée

The 2021 edition of ABU DHABI’S ANNUAL EUROPEAN TOUR stop has suddenly been transformed into A WINDOW TO A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE FOR THE GLOBAL GAME

4 mins

RELENTLESS-LEE - ABU DHABI HSBC CHAMPIONSHIP

WHISTLING STRAITS and an 11TH RYDER CUP appearance beckons but the reigning RACE TO DUBAI CHAMPION begins his 28th season on the European Tour looking no further than his defence of the FALCON TROPHY

6 mins

Clearing Trees

Don’t surrender and pitch back out

2 mins

NEXT ON THE TEE: TERROR

ACCEPT YOUR FIRST-TEE JITTERS, BUT DON’T SUCCUMB TO THEM

3 mins

SCARY SHOTS

THEY MIGHT BE UNNERVING, BUT YOU CAN PULL THEM OFF

6 mins

LAND OF PLENTY

SOUTH AFRICA IS A LONG WAY TO GO TO PLAY GOLF FOR MOST PEOPLE. THANKFULLY, THE COUNTRY ALSO OFFERS MANY OTHER GREAT COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM TO MAKE YOUR TRIP WORTHWHILE.

7 mins

Undercover Caddie

What’s a good caddie worth on tour? This many strokes . . .

3 mins

Read all stories from Golf Digest Middle East

Golf Digest Middle East Magazine Description:

Golf Digest Middle East is the leading golf publication in the region and the biggest golf magazine brand globally. Featuring a blend of local and international content, Golf Digest Middle East is essential reading for the passionate golfer - combining expert tuition from the world's leading tour professionals with the latest in equipment, news and travel.