Abu Dhabi: Martin Kaymer’s team of professional golfers beat Luis Figo’s celebrity counterparts 8-6 in the fourball Ryder Cup-style Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links Golf Club on Saturday.
A plus-seven handicap wasn’t enough to stop the 14-strong professionals who secured victory against the celebrities for a second year running.
Figo’s celebrity team was packed with household names including fellow footballers Peter Schmeichel, Ruud Gullit, Dwight Yorke, Alessandro Del Piero and Trevor Stevens. Also playing was cricket legend Bian Lara, rugby’s Mike Phillips, Olympians Sir Matthew Pinsent and Roland Schoeman along with F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen, as well as pop stars Brian McFadden, Keith Duffy and actor James Nesbitt.
The celebrities were tasked with taking on some of the biggest names in European golf. Captained by Kaymer, the professionals included Ladies European Tour stars Holly Clyburn and Camilla Lennarth. UAE golfer Ahmad Al Musharrakh also featured alongside Pablo Larrazabal and Gary Stal, who along with Kaymer have both previously won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Kaymer said: “It’s been a brilliant day, aided by perfect conditions ideal for playing great golf. The team worked together really well and we managed to secure a tough victory against some really strong opposition.”
Yas Links also played host to the Amateur Championships on Friday, which allowed the celebrities to get to grips with the course.
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Both on and off the course the new format Abu Dhabi Invitational has been a resounding success. We were honoured to have such an incredible group of celebrities and sporting stars competing against a great line-up of professional golfers.
“A special thank you to all our VIP guests, who have flown in from all around the world for this unforgettable Abu Dhabi experience, and to our amazing tournament host Yas Links.”
Howie Roberts, general manager of Yas Links, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to host the Abu Dhabi Invitational for another year and witness the great feedback we have had from some of the world’s greatest names in sports about the course and the incredible golfing experience at Yas Links.”
In addition to the top-class sport on offer, the event also raised a substantial sum for its chosen charity: Cancer Patient Care Society – Rahma.
