Abu Dhabi: ‘The jewel in the crown of Middle East golf’, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, will be garlanded with extra lustre in January when world number one Jordan Spieth makes his Arabian golf debut at the tournament.
The American ace, a two-time major winner, will join world number three Rory McIlroy, world number five Rickie Fowler and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, the world number seven, in a stellar field at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The illustrious quartet will be battling it out for a share of the $2.7 million (Dh9.9m) prize purse, the richest on the European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’, from January 21-24 for the 11th edition of the tournament.
David Kotheimer, Senior Executive Vice-President of HSBC Bank, the title sponsors of the event, told a press conference at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort on Wednesday: “Over the past five years, this tournament has confirmed its reputation as the jewel in the crown of Middle East golf. The strength of the tournament continues to grow year on year.”
Spieth’s maiden appearance certainly backs up Kotheimer’s assertion, the 22-year-old American having become the best golfer on the planet after a remarkable 2015.
The Texan clinched back-to-back majors at the US Masters and US Open and became the FedEx Cup champion to cap his annus mirabilis, and is eager to begin 2016 in similarly scintillating fashion.
He said: “I am looking forward to coming to Abu Dhabi, especially after Rickie [Fowler] told me about what a fantastic event it is. I love to travel and see the world and I am excited to not only play in the event, but also to check out Abu Dhabi for the first time.”
Spieth will face tough competition, however, most notably from his fierce rival, the four-time major winner McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman has finished runner-up four times at the event over the past eight years and is determined to secure his first Falcon Trophy and regain the number one spot from Spieth.
He said: “Abu Dhabi always brings an outstanding player field, and with Jordan and Rickie competing in January, this will be a superb test for me to start off the 2016 season. I’ve come close in Abu Dhabi several times now, so I’ll be 100 per cent ready for January’s challenge.”
Meanwhile, Fowler is eager to build on his Arabian golf debut at the Abu Dhabi event last year and continue his impressive progress.
“The past two years have been pivotal in my career,” the 26-year-old American said. “Getting three great PGA Tour wins under my belt this year and coming so close in the four majors in 2014 has given me confidence. I’m feeling more comfortable with my game than ever, and I’m looking forward to starting with a tough test against some of the big names in Abu Dhabi, which I hope will set me up nicely for the season ahead.”
Stenson, a former UAE resident of 10 years, who has twice been a runner-up in Abu Dhabi, says getting his hands on the one prize that has eluded him in the region will be high among his New Year’s resolutions.
“Abu Dhabi is very close to my heart,” the Swede said. “I’m one of only 14 players to have competed every year in Abu Dhabi since the first event in 2006, and I’ve always enjoyed starting my season there.
“After two runner-up placings, it’s no secret that I would love to win on the National course. I’m going into my second decade of starting in Abu Dhabi, so it would be something very special for me [if I won].”
Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), which owns the Championship, believes the appearance of golf’s young guns Spieth, McIlroy and Fowler will attract greater and more diverse crowds.
“These three young guns are bringing an enormous wave of new excitement to the game — they all have the wow factor. Jordan has already demonstrated his desire to ignite a love of golf and sport among youth — that’s something which really resonates well with us here in Abu Dhabi,” said Al Awani.
Mercedes Benz has signed on as a new sponsor for the 2016 edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which will also be supported by returning sponsors St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Rolex, Gulf News, Xerox and Nike Golf.
Tickets and tailored packages will be available from midday on Thursday via the event’s official website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at Dh50 for a daily pass and Dh150 for a four-day pass.
Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period enter free.
