Abu Dhabi: South African Branden Grace on Thursday withdrew from the Dhs1 million Abu Dhabi Invitational pro-am at Yas Links this Sunday.
He had earlier in the day been set to join four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman and 55 other male and female professional golf stars at the event.
However, media were informed by email that the world number 11 had pulled out due t unspecified reasons.
Several other well-known golf names will take to Yas Links for the charity pro-am tournament, which is sanctioned by the European Tour and will benefit the Emirates Red Crescent this year. Europe’s former Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup captains, Carin Koch and Paul McGinley, are in action in the mixed tournament.
Other female professionals joining Koch will be Carly Booth, Amy Boulden and Emma Cabrera-Bello.
There will be a youthful look to proceedings at Yas. ‘
Among the bright young things are 21-year-old Matthew Fitzpatrick, who took his first European Tour win at the 2015 British Masters, and the 22year-old Boulden.
Then there is Thomas Pieters, the in-form Belgian, who finished runner-up to Rickie Fowler this past weekend.
Pieters turned 24 this week.
The Abu Dhabi Invitational comprises an individual stableford Amateur Championship on Saturday, followed by the main Invitational on Sunday.
This will see the 58 professionals play individual medal for a share of the Dhs1 million prize fund. Each of the pros will also play alongside a VIP partner from the world of business and sport in a net better-ball team competition.
Among the sports stars playing with the leading golfers are British Olympic rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent, West Indian cricket icon Brian Lara and former footballers Andriy Shevchenko and Roberto Di Matteo.
Last year, the Invitational was won by South African Darren Fichardt.
Former winners include European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland, Scotland’s Steven Gallacher, South Africa’s Retief Goosen and England’s Lee Westwood.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming the golf professionals and sports personalities to Abu Dhabi and thank them for supporting the tournament and of course Emirates Red Crescent, our official charity. We have competitors playing the Abu Dhabi Invitational from over 20 countries worldwide and these high-profile sportsmen and women will help promote both Yas Links and Yas Island worldwide.”
