Garcia among all-star cast for The Invitational

Dubai: Sergio Garcia is the latest big name to join the all-star cast at The Invitational to be hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on January 25.

The popular Spaniard, currently ranked world number 11, makes his debut in the most prestigious Invitational Pro-Am in the region.

Garcia, who finished tenth in The Race to Dubai, joins a host of leading European Tour players in The Invitational, including Europe's Golfer of the Year Lee Westwood.

The world number four returns to Dubai on the back of one of the most consistent seasons of his career.

He capped a stunning victory in the Dubai World Championship in November by adding The Race to Dubai title with two wins and 11 additional top-ten finishes to collect 2.75 million euros (Dh10.1 million) and take his season's earnings to a record 4.23 million euros.

Back to top

He was rightfully voted The European Tour's Golfer of The Year for the third time in his career, having ended Colin Montgomerie's seven-year reign at the head of European Golf by winning the Order of Merit in 2000 after finishing runner-up in 1999 and third in 1997 and 1998.

Westwood and Garcia are joined on the field by fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell who recently shot back into the World Top 50 with a superb second place finish at the Chevron World Challenge in California.

Best form

Ross Fisher, currently ranked 20th in the world and who finished fourth in The Race to Dubai is another leading player to confirm his place in The Invitational on January 25.

Another player bringing his best form to The Invitational is host Abdullah Al Naboodah himself.

Al Naboodah teamed up with UK radio presenter DJ Spoony, Vincent Tshabalala and Thomas Aiken to win the fourball alliance competition at the Gary Player Invitational at The Links at Fancourt, South Africa, in November.