Spanning seven counting events across six countries, the International Swing celebrates the global nature of the DP World Tour.
Running from the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates to the Joburg Open in South Africa, it is the second of five Global Swings on the 2025 DP World Tour global schedule.
For the second consecutive season, the schedule comprises three distinct phases, beginning with the Global Swings followed by the Back 9, with the season then culminating with the DP World Tour Play-Offs in November.
Who is involved, what is at stake and how to follow the action. Here, we explain all you need to know…
Where does the International Swing visit?
Starting off in the United Arab Emirates at Emirates Golf Club, the 36th edition of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic will see a stellar international field assemble for the first Rolex Series event of the year.
The Tour will then return to Al Hamra Golf Club for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, before further stops in the Middle East for the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship and Commercial Bank Qatar Masters across a four-week stretch.
There is then a one-week break, before the Magical Kenya Open marks the first of three consecutive events in Africa that conclude with the Investec South African Open Championship and Joburg Open.
Who is in action?
A bumper field of international stars have made their way to Emirates Golf Club, a European Tour Destinations venue, as Rory McIlroy returns to go after a fifth Dallah Trophy.
Alongside the four-time Major champion are a host of his European Ryder Cup team-mates, including Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntryre.
Akshay Bhatia, a two-time PGA TOUR winner, is set for his debut in Dubai, while Ryan Fox and Min Woo Lee along with a host of dual members provide further international interest.
To view the Hero Dubai Desert Classic entry list in full, click here.
From there, the DP World Tour makes the short journey for the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, with John Parry, Johannes Veerman and Elvis Smylie looking to continue their excellent starts to the 2025 Race to Dubai.
Joining them in a strong field are defending champion Thorbjørn Olesen, Rolex Series winners Fox and Paul Waring, along with Major Champions Pádraig Harrington and Jimmy Walker.
To view the Ras Al Khaimah Championship entry list in full, click here.
What are the other Global Swings and what has happened so far?
The individual Swings - Opening Swing, International Swing, Asian Swing, European Swing and Closing Swing - run from November 2024 to August 2025.
All five showcase the different cultures and courses the DP World Tour has to offer.
At the end of each Swing, the leading player is crowned ‘Swing Champion’, qualifes for each of the ‘Back 9’ events and earns a US$200,000 bonus.
The first of the five Global Swings saw John Parry of England win the Opening Swing courtesy of victory at the year-ending AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at Mont Choisy Le Golf.
As a result of winning the Swing, European Challenge Tour graduate Parry is in action at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club.
🇦🇺 T8
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) December 22, 2024
🇦🇺 T80
🇿🇦 T2
🇲🇺 1st
John Parry wins the Opening Swing, the first of five Global Swings on the DP World Tour 🏆 pic.twitter.com/cEpJSr5qXr
What is the format for events?
Events in the International Swing will be contested over 72-hole strokeplay, with a cut after 36 holes.
There are an elevated 8,000 Race to Dubai Ranking Points on offer at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, 3,500 in Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Qatar and Kenya, before the back-to-back South Africa based events carry 3,000 points.
Players are awarded a share of the Race to Dubai points at each event based on their finishing position in the tournament.
Who is the International Swing defending champion?
With his victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the back of a runner-up finish at the Dubai Invitational at the start of last year, McIlroy won the International Swing in 2024.
How can I watch it?
European Tour Productions, the DP World Tour’s in-house production company, will produce and distribute live coverage of all events in the International Swing.
For specific broadcast timings of all territories please check your local listings.
