Dubai, UAE: North Carolina senior David Ford finished the U.S. college golf fall season as the No. 1 player in the PGA TOUR University Ranking and has earned an exemption into the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic set to take place at Emirates Golf Club, January 16-19, 2025.

Ford’s debut at the 'Major of the Middle East' will mark the fourth consecutive year that the top-ranked player, as of November 27, has been invited to compete in the prestigious Rolex Series event, which will celebrate its 36th edition next year.

“I am honoured and humbled to receive this opportunity to play in my first DP World Tour event at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January,” said Ford.

“Thank you to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Tour, and PGA TOUR University for the chance to compete alongside the top talents in the world and further develop my game.”

Ford took hold of the No. 1 spot after his victory at The Williams Cup in October. He became the third player this season to sit atop the ranking, marking the first time in the five-year history of PGA TOUR University that there have been more than two different No. 1 players in the same season.

Ford passed previous No. 1s Preston Summerhays (Arizona State) and Brendan Valdes (Auburn) to secure his first DP World Tour start.

Ford’s PGA TOUR University record is reflective of his No. 1 position – four top-10s in his last four starts, including back-to-back victories at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational and The Williams Cup.

As a result of his victory at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational, Ford earned an exemption into the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge. In addition to his recent collegiate success, Ford has appeared in three PGA TOUR events and notched his best finish at the Barbasol Championship in 2023 (T58).

Further highlighting his resume is the 2023 Walker Cup at the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland, where he represented the victorious United States team. Currently No. 6 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Ford also represented the United States at the 2023 Eisenhower Trophy in Abu Dhabi and back-to-back appearances in the Arnold Palmer Cup (2023, 2024).

“We’re thrilled to welcome David to the 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, continuing our proud tradition of giving elite amateurs the chance to compete in a top-tier event early in their careers,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“I had the pleasure of watching David at the 2023 Eisenhower Trophy in Abu Dhabi, and I was thoroughly impressed. His sublime closing round of eight-under-par 64 played a crucial role in securing an 11-stroke victory for the U.S. team.

“The entire team at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is excited to see him in action once again as he takes on the Majlis Course alongside a stellar field, including our four-time champion Rory McIlroy.”

Past participants in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic include former PGA TOUR University No. 1 finishers Ludvig Åberg (2023) and Michael Thorbjornsen (2024). Åberg finished T70 in 2023 and went onto become the first No. 1 finisher in PGA TOUR University to earn direct access to the PGA TOUR.

Since then, Åberg has won on the DP World Tour in Switzerland and the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic and earned a Ryder Cup Captain’s Pick in his first professional season.

Thorbjornsen made two starts at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic as an amateur (T20/2023, T11/2024), and has finished inside the top 10 three times in 11 PGA TOUR starts since turning pro in June.

Free general admission tickets and a range of early bird hospitality packages for the tournament are available at www.dubaidesertclassic.com and via the Hero Dubai Desert Classic app available now on App Store or Google Play.