The head of DP World Tour Championship explains why this year’s event is the most significant to date

Tom Phillips may not be a professional golfer, but he now spends his time rubbing shoulders with the world’s top golfers as the head of the Middle East for the DP World Tour. He has been preparing for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates, which is anticipated to be the largest week of the year for the sport. With the competition broadcasted internationally to over 600 million households, the increase in attendance is a clear indicator of the growing popularity of the game.

Tom’s passion for golf began at a young age, although he initially didn’t envision a career in the sport. His career has been marked by a deep involvement in golf, including various leadership roles in the golf industry, such as serving as the chief executive of the Hong Kong Golf Association and director of business development for China’s Mission Hills. Furthermore, his time as the chief executive of the Faldo series put him in close contact with emerging golf stars.

In his current role as the head of the Middle East for the DP World Tour, Tom has been involved in the recent preparations for the tournament, involving meetings with clients, sponsors, government officials, and more. His primary goal is to develop the tour in the Middle East, as well as to promote golf as an inclusive and accessible sport.

Golf has evolved to become more athletically demanding, and Tom emphasizes the game’s accessibility to people of all backgrounds and abilities. Furthermore, he is committed to promoting sustainability, incorporating innovative environmentally-friendly features into the tournament experience. Despite the sizeable prize money involved in the sport, much of which has been generated by the business of golf, Tom is focused on providing the best experience for viewers and highlighting Dubai as a leading global destination for top-tier golf championships.

DP World Tour Championship leader explains why this year’s tournament is the most significant to date