DEFENDING CHAMPION: American Bryson DeChambeau streeted the field, with Matt Wallace getting the closest some seven shots behind.

COURSE: The flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, The Majlis championship course is a challenging par 72, 7,301-yard layout. Designed by Florida-based course architect Karl Litten, the original 18 holes were built in and around the dunes of a beautiful site on the edge of the city of Dubai, donated by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on whose instructions the desert flora was maintained in its natural state.

PRIZEMONEY: US$3,250,000.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Coming off a T2 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week, Tommy Fleetwood is one of the form players on the European Tour. The World No.10 currently sits third on the Race to Dubai standings and is arguable the player to beat this week.

“I feel this course (Emirates), I almost feel more comfortable on it than Abu Dhabi, but I haven't played anywhere near as well on it,” Fleetwood said. “I'd like to feel that the way I work and how I try and improve certain areas of my game, that generally most golf courses I feel like I've got a chance of competing on and doing well on. Just so happens that the Middle East has been very kind to me at the moment.”

The man who beat Fleetwood in Abu Dhabi, Lee Westwood, is looking to secure back-to-back titles and is confident he can based on his experience.

"I think the more you win, the more you get used to getting back to being on an even keel, really," Westwood said.

"A lot of people, if they win early in their career, they struggle to bring themselves back again, but I've won a lot of tournaments and I've won weeks back to back.”

72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Bryson DeChambeau (2019).

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Richard Green (1997)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Wade Ormsby, Scott Hend, Lucas Herbert, Daniel Gaunt, Jason Scrivener.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 3pm – 8pm; 10.30pm – 12.30am)

Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 507 LIVE 6.30pm – 12.30am)

Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 8.30pm – 12am)

Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 507 LIVE 7.30pm – 12am)

*AEDT, check local guides