Fasth confirms for Abu Dhabi showpiece

Abu Dhabi: Niclas Fasth, the current world No 20, is the latest golfing heavyweight to sign-up for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, to be held at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from January 17-20.

Fasth - part of the victorious 2002 Ryder Cup team, and a six-time winner on the European PGA Tour - is looking to get his season off to a flier in the UAE capital as he bids to secure the required qualification points for a 2008 Ryder Cup berth.

"Abu Dhabi is now regarded as the first big event on the European Tour and everyone wants to win there," said Sweden's number two golfer - who finished tied 29th in last year's Championship.

"The course is fantastic. It is highly playable on certain holes and very unforgiving on others, which should lead to some interesting scores. In what is a Ryder Cup year, I'm sure the European contingent will be looking to get their bids for a team place off to a good start in Abu Dhabi - and I'm no different.

Matter of confidence

"Form is largely down to confidence, and starting the year with a big win is the ideal springboard to go on and have a successful season," said Fasth - who won the BMW International Open and finished fourth at the US Open last year.

Fasth join an elite international field featuring over a third of the world's top 25 players - including defending champion Paul Casey (21), Australia's Adam Scott (7), Ireland's Padraig Harrington (8), his fellow Swede, Henrik Stenson (16), and the English trio of Luke Donald (18), Ian Poulter (22) and Lee Westwood (23) - all vying for the third annual Championship.

"With the start date under two weeks away, the addition of Niclas to what is already a star studded line-up further proves the Championship's growing recognition on the international stage and should help drive spectator turnout to date ," said Peter German, executive Tournament director.