Abu Dhabi: A star-studded line up might be in action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, but the focus undoubtedly will be on former world number one Tiger Woods who makes his first appearance in the capital city.
After ending his 10-year association with the Dubai Desert Classic, Woods decided to sign a one-year lucrative deal with Abu Dhabi that has attracted the world's attention.
Even Martin Kaymer, who has won the Falcon Trophies three times in his five appearances, seems to be aware of this fact.
"I think there's less focus on me now. I'm not playing in that group tomorrow. I know that people will want to see Tiger and Rory McIlroy, so that's a great group to watch," said Kaymer, who will join an elite group of five players who have won a European Tour event three times in a row, if he wins the title this time.
"I think [Lee] Westwood, Sergio [Garcia] and me, we are a little bit under the radar, which is fine with me. But it always adds a little bit if Tiger is here. You can see when he came on the putting green earlier [practice round], there are more people all of a sudden around you, and he has a very special aura.
"It's always nice to play tournaments where he's playing because you know it adds a little bit of everything, and it will help you in the future if you look at it, try to figure out what it is really, and why he created that awe for people, and it's good for the tournament and I'm very happy he came over here," added the defending champion.
Woods looks in pristine touch coming into the tournament after finally ending his two-year victory drought at December's Chevron World Challenge in California as he surged from world No 50 to 23.
The 22-year-old US Champion Rory McIlroy said: "Tiger is obviously known for creating his own bubble. Growing up and watching Tiger for the last 15 years, he was the face of golf for a long, long time and he is probably still the face of golf.
"He set the benchmark for a lot of guys and he's still the main attraction in golf and I don't think anyone would argue with that," added McIlroy, who has been paired with Woods and World No 1 Luke Donald for the first two rounds.
"At the practice round, it was good. He seems like he's happy with everything. I know he's definitely happy that he feels like he's back to 100 per cent fitness, which is great for him.
"He definitely hit a lot of good shots out there. So I think he's worked hard in the off season, and looks like his game is in pretty good shape.
"It's great, you get straight at it right away. You're playing with two of the best golfers in the world in the first two days, and you're up against one of the strongest fields probably that will be assembled this year."
Donald said: "Obviously, it's not just playing with Tiger. It's the fact that he brings a bigger crowd. There's a little bit more of an atmosphere. You're going to feel a little bit differently. Certainly my experiences over the last few years and I have played with him quite a few times in the past; that feeling of feeling intimidated certainly dissipates."
Ticket Details
Tickets for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship are available at www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com, www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669.
