Dubai resident and DP World Ambassador Tommy Fleetwood has been congratulated for securing the silver medal for Great Britain in the recent Olympic Men's Golf Competition. Tommy's exceptional performance has elevated him to the 11th spot in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), marking a two-spot rise. This week, attention shifts to the top female golfers as they compete for Olympic gold at the prestigious Le Golf National course.

Leading the female contenders is American Nelly Korda, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, who aims to defend her title. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Lydia Ko seeks to etch her name in history by winning her third consecutive Olympic medal. Korda expressed her sentiments during a press conference, stating, “When it comes to majors and an Olympic medal, that's why we are out there so long and grinding and pushing ourselves in the gym and on the golf course. It’s for those moments.” She further added, “Doesn't really feel like I'm defending, really. I'm just going to go out, enjoy the experience, and hopefully enjoy the fans.”

The question of whether it is fair to award World Ranking points to top golfers participating in the Olympics is a topic for another discussion. However, with only 60 players in the competition and the majority of athletes missing out on earning points on major tours like the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, or the Ladies' Professional Tours, it raises a significant query. The DP World Tour is currently on a break and will resume next week with the Closing Swing in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, the Asian Tour has ventured into Europe for the International Series at Foxhills, near London.

Dubai golf enthusiasts will have much to look forward to as several local golfers, including Rayhan Thomas, Anirban Lahiri, Jeev Milkha Singh, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, who recently represented India in the Olympics, are set to participate in the tournament. The Farmfoods Scottish Challenge, backed by The R&A, has brought the Challenge Tour to Aberdeen, Scotland. Notable among the participants is Dubai resident Oscar Craig, stepson of Olympic silver medalist Tommy Fleetwood, who earned a sponsor's invitation. Oscar, representing Jumeirah Golf Estates, demonstrated his prowess by winning the Al Hamra Golf Club's Men's Open, securing an esteemed invite to the Challenge Tour's UAE Challenge at Saadiyat Beach.

In the UAE Challenge, Oscar comfortably made the cut with impressive rounds of 69 and 73, followed by further commendable performances over the weekend with rounds of 72 and 76. His journey as an amateur golfer, marked by his strong connections to the sport and undeniable talent, promises an exciting future in golf. Other confirmed entries include Dominic Foos (The Els Club, Dubai), Craig Howie (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club), and Ross McGowan (Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah).

Schedule:

Olympic Games: Wednesday 7th – Saturday 10th August, 2024 - Women’s Olympic Golf Competition at Le Golf National, Paris

PGA Tour: Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August, 2024 - Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina, US - Purse: $7.9 million

Asian Tour: Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August, 2024 - International Series England at Foxhills Golf & Country Club, London, England - Purse: $2 million

Challenge Tour: Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th August, 2024 - Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Newmacher GC, Aberdeen, Scotland - Purse: £250,000