2015 Dubai Desert Classic

Ends on Sunday, 1 Feb,  with big field including RMcIlroy, MKaymer, SGarcia, HStenson, GMac, and many others. First place wins US$430,000.

Tee-times and pairings: http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015006/teetimes/index.html

Watching right now, Rory & 2 time defending champion Stephen Gallacher both shot -6.

Great starts. Leaders at -8 right now.

Garcia shot a +3....gonna need a nice round tomorrow to make the cut.

Ya know I'm curious, why do so many top golfers play this tournament if the pay out is less than half of an average PGA tour pay out?

Are some getting appearance money?

Wiesberger sole leader at -8, thanks to 5 birdies in the last 6 holes.

Manassero again with a very bad round (+7).

I believe that's the case, Crim.  Appearance fees can be quite large in Europe and Asia but forbidden in USA (to my knowledge).

Nearly all finished with round 1 and BWeisberger at -8, NColsearts, LWestwood, ASullivan and PUihlein at -7, RMcIlroy and  others at -6.

My fav, DLipsky, doing well at -4.  I'd like to see him get into the top 10, or better.

Course said to be in super shape and the TV i saw confirmed that. Greens at 13 ft 2 in on the Stimpo.  I guess that is pretty fast but where i play i don't think ever that slippery.  I'd be 'afeard' going downhill.

I wonder the difference, if any, between the OWGR points available at Dubai compared to Phoenix.  And lots of these guys spend the 3 weeks in Arabia which is quite pleasant this time of year and the amenities dished out  may also be attractive, compared to the Waste Management scent.

Playing the Desert Swing gives the guys who are trying to make minimum number of events on both tours a chance to get a couple of events under their belt.

Play 2 of the three then the 4 co-sanctioned events (4 x WGC & 4 x Majors) they're most of the way to the 14 events they need for the European Tour.

That makes sense, I forgot all about the required # of events.

RMcIlroy shoots 64 on 2nd day, leads by 1 at -14. MWarren alone at -13.  Others follow.  Both USA guys, PUihlein and DLipsky make cut.

Impressive round from Rory.

Yeah, he looked like he was on cruise control.

Some who didn't make the cut: title defender Garcia, Siem, Manassero, Cabrera-Bello, Bjorn, Coetzee.

I just watched him par the 18th after getting wet on his approach (went for green in 2 over water). A clean 6 birdies and no bogey round. He looks like he is in complete control. Just one bogey through 3 rounds.

One thing I love about the European Tour is their clean web site. The PGA Tour is clunky and slow to load. Half the time I go to click something and it jumps on me. My click sends me off to who-knows-where. And the fonts are awkward to read. Take a look below. Clean and simple.

http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015006/leaderboard/index.html

Rory hit 4 fairways today and shoots 6 under. Guy is amazing.

Lol. Incredible.