David Ford goes to Dubai.
The North Carolina senior earned an exemption into the DP World Tour’s 2025 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, scheduled for Jan. 16-19 at Emirates Golf Club. He earned the field exemption thanks to his place at the top of the PGA Tour University Class of 2025 rankings.
This is the fourth year in a row that the best player has received an exemption.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this opportunity to compete in my first DP World Tour event at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January,” Ford said in a statement. “Thank you to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Tour and PGA Tour University for the chance to compete alongside the world’s best talent and further develop my game.”
This season, Ford has two wins in four starts for the Tar Heels, including winning the Williams Cup, where he beat No. 2 Josele Ballester of Arizona State and No. 3 Brendan Valdes of Auburn. The trio was grouped together in the first round.
Last year, Michael Thorbjornsen, who finished first in the Class of 2024 rankings to earn his PGA Tour card, finished T-11 at the Dubai Desert Classic. He also played the previous year, ranking T-20.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: David Ford Earns DP World Tour Exemption Via PGA Tour U Ranking