Abu Dhabi: Having confirmed his re-attendance for 2011, Ian Poulter has vowed to finish one shot better at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships, where he narrowly missed out on victory last year to Martin Kaymer.
Having pushed Kaymer to the very last stroke, only missing out on a 30-foot putt on the 18th which went close but didn't drop, the flamboyant Englishman is now looking to lift the Falcon Trophy from January 20-23 at the par-72, 7,204-yard National Course.
The only trouble for Poulter is two-time Abu Dhabi Championship winner Kaymer is back on the warpath for a third title, fresh from his first Major with the US PGA Championship.
"Knowing the National course suits my game certainly gives me confidence ahead of the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship," said Poulter.
"Everybody wants to win this Championship and coming so close in 2010 really spurs me on. The crowds were amazing last year and I hope I will give them something to cheer about when I tee off in January, as the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi is very special."
He enters a field with some of the biggest names in golf, including all four 2010 Major winners — Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell — the first time this has happened in the Middle East.
He will also compete against the current world No 1 Lee Westwood, who is determined to lift the coveted Falcon Trophy for the first time, as well as two-time Championship winner Paul Casey.
Tickets for the Championship are Dh125 for a daily pass and Dh400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of Dh100 and Dh300, respectively, apply to UGA members.
Tickets are available via the event's official website, www.abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com, as well as online at www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 210 8943.
