The Hero Desert Classic, the second tournament of the Rolex Series of the DP World Tour 2023, will end only on Monday in Dubai. After the six-hour delay due to bad weather accumulated yesterday, the organizers have decided that the event will be played over the distance of 72 holes, as scheduled, but will close one day later than originally planned.
In the United Arab Emirates, the first round ended today. Then, the second began which will be completed tomorrow by the protagonists in the race. At the head of the provisional classification, with “-8” respectively after 3 and 4 holes played in the second round, are the English Ian Poulter (now the face of the Arab Super League) and Richard Bland.
Behind them, with “-7” after seven, is Spaniard Angel Hidalgo. At the top of the chart, both with “-6”, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed. The world number 1 and the American, who in recent days have ended up at the center of a controversy renamed as “tee-gate”, for an exchange of hands denied by the Northern Irishman which provoked an angry gesture from the American, share the 4/ in position with the South African Louis De Jager, who however has already played two holes in the second round.
Dp, results
Not an exciting start for the Azzurri, who risk being cut off. Francesco Molinari is 79/o in par after 5 holes in the second round which Guido Migliozzi has yet to start, 93/o (+1). Further back Edoardo Molinari, 114/o with “+3” and six holes completed in the second round.
Professional golf originated in Europe, specifically in Scotland. The first professionals were craftsmen who built the clubs and course managers who also taught golf to the wealthy who could afford to play (the first equipment, all handmade, was very expensive) and played a few games against each other in exchange for small fees.
The first tournament with multiple entrants was the British Open, created in 1860. That year it was restricted to professionals and featured eight players. The following year, amateurs were also admitted. Contrary to what happens in other sports, the difference between amateurs and professionals has never created particular problems, at least at the highest levels of competition.
In the decades following the birth of the British Open, the number of tournaments offering cash prizes slowly but steadily increased. Most took place in the UK, but several national open tournaments were also held in various countries in mainland Europe.
However, for several years it was impossible for players to support themselves only thanks to the prizes won. Beginning in 1901, British professionals were represented by the Professional Golfers’ Association, which eventually created the European Tour.
