“We’re always well looked after in the UAE, but the welcome we receive at Al Hamra is particularly good and I can’t wait to get back there.”
New Zealander Fox, who triumphed at Al Hamra Golf Club at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic in 2022, will return to the Emirate for the first time in two years and is excited to compete at a venue which harbours happy memories.
“I’ve obviously got great memories of Ras Al Khaimah and I’m looking forward to going back next year,” he said. “I won a different tournament, but it still feels good going back to Al Hamra.
“I think it will be a tough test of golf. There are a lot of tee shots that are quite tricky, especially the back nine – ten, 12 and coming down the stretch 16, 17, 18 are narrow fairways. There’s always a bit of wind round there, it will be a good test.”
2016 US PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker impressed on the DP World Tour earlier this year with a tied seventh finish at the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, and the American is relishing the opportunity to tee it up in the UAE.
“Heading to the UAE is something I’m really excited about.” he said. “I’ve heard some great things, and it looks amazing. It’ll be really cool to go and play there and I’m also looking forward to experiencing what the region has to offer.”
Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra Group and owner of Al Hamra Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome the DP World Tour back to Ras Al Khaimah for the 2025 edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. Following the tremendous success of previous editions, we’ve implemented a few key changes to the course this year, and we look forward to seeing how the players adapt and navigate these new challenges.
“The RAK Championship has become a key feature in Ras Al Khaimah’s annual event calendar and it provides an opportunity to show case the diverse range of leisure and lifestyle offerings of Ras Al Khaimah to both local and international visitors and viewers.”
The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah hosted the DP World Tour for the first time in 2022 with the inaugural staging of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, followed the week after by the Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
Following exciting victories that year for Danish Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard and New Zealander Fox, and by Englishman Daniel Gavins when the Ras Al Khaimah Championship returned in 2023, the tournament continued its success last year when Dane Thorbjørn Olesen sealed his eighth DP World Tour title.
The spectacular coastal venue of Al Hamra Golf Club hosts once again, with the Peter Harradine-designed layout having also previously welcomed three European Challenge Tour events, including the 2018 Challenge Tour Grand Final.
This year fans can once again enjoy free general admission with registration now open. Fans can upgrade their experience with early bird tickets now available for the Championship Chalet, granting you exclusive access to the clubhouse rooftop terrace for a luxurious view of the action from AED 875.