Rising stars Smith and Fitzpatrick confirmed for RAK Championship

Dan Bradbury, Alex Fitzpatrick, Yannik Paul and Jordan Smith will tee it up at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in early 2024.

The quartet, consisting of rising stars on the DP World Tour, will be competing at Al Hamra Golf Club from Jan. 25-28. After that, they will be heading to Royal Golf Club in Bahrain the following week as part of the International Swing on the new-look 2024 Race to Dubai.

These events come after back-to-back weeks in Dubai, with the Dubai Invitational and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, as the Middle East takes center stage in the DP World Tour’s early 2024 schedule.

Defending champion Daniel Gavins, along with three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington and DP World Tour winners Rasmus Hojgaard and Pablo Larrazabal, have already confirmed their return to Ras Al Khaimah. The field for the showdown at Al Hamra Golf Club is starting to shape up.

Golfers in the region are also invited to join the action and play alongside the DP World Tour stars by purchasing a spot in the Pro-Am on Wednesday, January 24. Spectators can also enjoy off-course highlights at the tournament, including food trucks from popular UAE eateries, fun children’s activities, and live music.

Bradbury, who had an impressive debut season in 2023, is excited to continue his progress in 2024 after finishing 36th in his first year on the Race to Dubai.

“I love playing golf in the Middle East, so I’m thrilled to go back to Ras Al Khaimah and also visit Bahrain for the first time. These should be fantastic events,” he said.

Fellow countryman Fitzpatrick earned his playing privileges for 2024 through a combination of the Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca and strong performances in limited starts on the DP World Tour. He can now play a full schedule on the Race to Dubai.

“There was a lot of pressure last year because I felt like I had to perform well in the limited opportunities I had. So, it’s nice now to be able to plan my schedule a bit more,” said Fitzpatrick.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to visit the Middle East next month. It’s always a great experience to be there. Paul, the winner of the 2021 Mallorca Golf Open, had an amazing 2023 season with two runner-up finishes and five other top tens.

He’s looking forward to building on that success next year. He’s eager to showcase his skills again and can’t wait to see everyone in Ras Al Khaimah and Bahrain.”

Smith, a two-time DP World Tour winner, is familiar with Al Hamra Golf Club as he won the Challenge Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge in 2016. He always enjoys returning to a place where he has had previous success. Winning in 2016 secured his number one spot on the Challenge Tour Rankings, so going back to Al Hamra is always special for him.

“I’m really excited about this upcoming event in Ras Al Khaimah and Bahrain. It’s going to be a fantastic part of the schedule and I can’t wait to be there.”

If you’re planning to attend the event in Ras Al Khaimah, the hotels are offering tempting offers for a long weekend stay. Make sure to explore the Nature Emirate to the fullest by visiting attractions like the world’s longest zipline, Jais Flight, Bear Grylls Explorer Camp, and Suwaidi Pearls Farm. It’s a great opportunity to have an unforgettable experience.