A new era for the newly christened DP World Tour gets under way this week with a cracking field assembled for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. There might be no Ryder or Solheim Cup this campaign but here are some highlights and likely flashpoints to anticipate during a year where we can expect plenty of excitement and controversy:
1. Middle East swing
Always an intriguing start to any year, the three pit stops this time will be a hive of speculation. In years past, Abu Dhabi has seen the unveiling of Europe’s Ryder Cup captain but I’m told there will be no puffs of white smoke until mid-February, so there will be plenty of 19th-hole chatter over the next three weeks as to who will succeed Padraig Harrington.
Rory McIlroy features in a stellar line-up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week
And what about the Saudi Sportswashing Invitational — I might not have that title quite right — now part of the Asian Tour which will follow on from the beefed-up Dubai Desert Classic, complete with any number of high-profile renegades on board? Stand by for more on the Saudis and their mission to grow the game/kill it with greed, depending on your viewpoint.
2. 150th Open at St Andrews
Truly an occasion to savour in July, although it might not be without its own share of controversy if the weather is becalmed, meaning Bryson DeChambeau will take aim at driving about half of the 14-par fours.
Such is the scale of anticipation around the world that more than 1.3 million applications for tickets were received by the R&A. Let’s hope it’s dry and fast, leading to an Open filled with 400-yard drives but also one that calls for imagination and short-game wizardry.
Bryson DeChambeau should be among the big names at the 150th Open in July
The Masters will be quite an occasion too, with the likely return to a full turnout of patrons for the first time since 2019 — but there’s no doubt as to the pick of the four majors this year.
3. US Women’s Open
Amid everything else going on, it was easy to miss the extraordinary announcement last month regarding the
