Event to remain in Tour for a long time

Abu Dhabi's entry into the European Tour golf series could not have been timed better.

With the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority confirming that the capital will remain a European Tour venue on a long-term basis, the championship may have found a permanent host.

"Though the US Tour is bigger in terms of prize money it goes out of North America maybe just once or twice," Peter German told Gulf News. "But the European Tour has a more international flavour, being staged in over 36 countries."

German said the prize money on offer and perfect playing facilities encouraged the PGA Tour to allocated an event to Abu Dhabi

"Being the first tournament on the tour is very important. Since it is scheduled just a week before the Dubai Desert Classic and the Qatar Open, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship will be able to attract international fans.

"As time goes by this event will surely become a major international stop on the European Tour," he added.

The European Tour, which started in 1972 with total prize money of £250,000 grew to 45 tournaments in 23 countries in 2004 with total prize money of £73,308,983.