After a rain delay forced a Monday finish at the Dubai Desert Classic, many fans were keen to see who would be paired with who going into the third round on Sunday, with it possible that Rory McIlroy could be playing with Patrick Reed after a tense exchange between the two resulted in Reed reportedly tossing a tee in McIlroy's direction.
Both sit at eight-under-par but, when the tee times were announced on Saturday afternoon, it was discovered that neither had been paired with one another. However, one notable tee time, 8.15 to be exact, features current European Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, and the man he replaced, Henrik Stenson.
Stenson, Donald and Robert Karlsson at the 2021 Ryder Cup
Originally, Stenson was announced as the European Ryder Cup captain in March 2022 but, after he moved to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series in July, he was subsequently stripped of the captaincy.
Following the move, Donald was announced as his replacement, with the Englishman taking Team Europe into Rome at the end of September.
Now though, at the Dubai Desert Classic, Donald, Stenson and Tyrrell Hatton will make up the tee time at 8.15, with all three sat at two-under-par. Originally, it was unclear as to whether that number would make it to the third and fourth round but, following a few slip ups from golfers out on the course, the cut line was moved to one-under.
Stenson secured victory on his LIV Golf debut, pocketing $4 million in the process
After moving to LIV Golf, Stenson was not seen in any DP World Tour events for the remainder of 2022, with the Swede making his return at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week.
Speaking on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, Stenson stated that he hadn't had anyone "step up to him personally and vent those thoughts" around leaving for LIV Golf, with the former Champion Golfer of the Year also expressing his desire to play more on the DP World Tour circuit, as he added: "I still want to play on this tour. In my mind, nothing has changed from when I started playing on multiple tours."
-
Charley Hull Reveals Motivational Bet With Boyfriend After Fast Start At The AnnikaThe World No.12 shared the lead after round one of The Annika and explained a bet with her boyfriend which helped keep her foot on the gas
-
'It's A Bit Disgraceful'- Solheim Cup Legend Weighs In On Ryder Cup Pay DebateDame Laura Davies says it's "a bit disgraceful" that Ryder Cup players want paying to take part in the event
-
Scheffler Vs Schauffele Vs McIlroy: How The Stats CompareRory McIlroy said Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have ‘separated themselves’ so we looked at the stats…
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder CupRory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
-
Rory McIlroy Admits Lack Of Fifth Major 'Stings' As He Grades 2024 SeasonThe World No.3 once again credited his own consistency after a year of several near-misses but admitted missing out on a fifth Major championship "stings"
-
DP World Tour Championship Tee Times: Round OneThe final event of the DP World Tour season sees Rory McIlroy closing in on his sixth Race to Dubai title
-
DP World Tour Championship Prize Money Payout 2024There’s tournament prize money and Race to Dubai bonus payouts at the DP World Tour’s season finale in Dubai
-
What Rory McIlroy Needs To Win Sixth Race To Dubai TitleThe Northern Irishman holds a handsome lead at the top of the standings but still requires a high finish to deny Thriston Lawrence a chance of overtaking him
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Tee Times: Round FourPaul Waring takes a one-shot lead into the final round at Yas Links, where the line-up for the season-closing DP World Tour Championship will be confirmed
-
Predicting What Rory McIlroy's 2025 Schedule Will Look LikeAfter saying he would cut down his schedule for 2025, take a look and where and when Rory McIlroy could be playing his golf next year
