Spanish trio join Falcon trophy hunt

Abu Dhabi: Three of Spain's top golfers have declared their intent to land the PGA European Tour event's iconic "Falcon" trophy this weekend at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

The in-form Iberian trio, Alvaro Quiros, Sergio Garcia and Miguel Ángel Jimenez, have all played in Abu Dhabi before and join a stellar cast featuring world No.1 Luke Donald, reigning Major winners, Charl Schwartzel (US Masters), Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (British Open), as well as former world No1 Lee Westwood, and Abu Dhabi debutant Tiger Woods.

García ended a three year title drought late last year with back-to-back wins in home events at the Castello Masters and the Andalucía Masters. Quiros won the season-ending Dubai World Championship to finish the year ranked sixth in the Order of Merit, book-ending a year which also saw him start with a win in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Middle East success

Jimenez is also no stranger to Middle Eastern success, having won the Dubai Desert Classic in 2010.

Meanwhile, defending and triple Abu Dhabi winner, Martin Kaymer, is back chasing title number four, while Australian hot-shot, Jason Day, Korean number one, KJ Choi, and Italian prodigy, Matteo Manassero — a global golf ambassador for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the Championship organiser — are also among the title favourites when the seventh Championship unfolds at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from Thursday to Sunday.