Players keen to shoot for $2.5 million carrot on 17th hole

DUBAI // That giant signboard next to the 17th tee is casting a long shadow across Emirates Golf Club this week.

As part of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic’s silver anniversary, tournament organisers have placed a US$2.5 million (Dh9.18m) bounty on an unlikely ace on the Majlis’ penultimate hole should it arrive on Saturday or Sunday.

At 359 yards and a dog-leg right, it is definitely driveable, especially in the modern age of saucer-sized club heads and speed-generating flexi-shafts. What is more, the European Tour plans to move the tee forward for rounds three and four, leaving little more than a 320-yard tickle for today’s propane pros.

Even without the huge banner reminding players what is at stake, the quirky prize has caused quite a stir. The golfers are not the only ones paying attention.

“I think my caddie will just leave the driver and run, because he’s on 10 per cent,” quipped Stephen Gallacher, who with victory here last year has already lined significantly his bagman’s pockets.

Twelve months ago, the Scot provided the perfect birthday present to caddie Damian Moore by landing the coffee pot trophy, not to mention a cool €309,232 (Dh1.55m). As his on-course swing guru and psychiatrist, Moore returned home €30,000 or so up.

“I’ll bet he’s way out there getting the line for me,” said Gallacher of the 17th, which is shaped to create a blind tee shot to the green.

“I’ve never seen see him work so hard. There’s no way I’ll be laying up for that hole.”

Neither will Rory McIlroy, the world No 6 and favourite this week. Weather conditions, not to mention where he finds himself on the leaderboard, may dictate whether the 2009 champion goes all out, but for now he is filled with a strong sense of adventure. Promises of riches can do that to a man.

“Yeah, there’s not many chances to win $2.5m in one shot, so I’ll give it a go,” he said.

“I mean, if you’re confident with your driver, why not?”

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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