Abu Dhabi: The world’s best golfers face a finish that’s likely to be tougher than ever at next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, with course upgrades, including a new 18th tee that has been repositioned higher, presenting the most challenging drive yet into the face of Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s iconic Falcon Clubhouse.
The new 18th tee is five metres higher than in previous years and has been positioned to the left with the hole angle — creating a straighter tee shot and bringing into play bunkers that punctuate either side of the fairway, as well as the water stretching down the right-hand side.
Bringing into view the clubhouse, Championship Pavilion, 9th and 18th hole grandstands, along with the brand new HSBC Skybox, the new position makes for a tougher Championship 18th tee shot than ever before.
“We are constantly seeking ways to take the golf course to a new level, keeping ahead of the ever-changing technology, which helps golfers hit the ball further,” said Andrew Whittaker, Director of Agronomy at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. “Over the last eight years, we’ve added many new tees and bunkers to the original design as well as extending and increasing the green sizes to add more challenging pin positions.
Whittaker’s team has also increased the number of bunkers at the 11th green, giving a more testing approach shot around the dog-leg and enhanced fairway shapes and landscaping around the course.
The new tee will help ensure a thrilling finale for a field including Race to Dubai and FedEx Cup winner Henrik Stenson, world number five and five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson, world number six Rory McIlroy, former world number one Luke Donald, Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking ambassador Matteo Manassero, crowd favourite and world number 10 Sergio Garcia and reigning champion, Welshman Jamie Donaldson. Three-time Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer is also returning for his fourth shot at the title.
Abu Dhabi’s Global Golf Ambassador Matteo Manassero commented on the new 18th tee ahead of his return to the UAE capital next week in pursuit of the coveted Falcon Trophy. “I personally think it’s a great change. It doesn’t make the hole longer but just gives you a better perspective than the old tee shot. You can see the bunker on the right much better and its easier to start it off down the left, but it’s also easier to link it down the left and hit the water.”
