New course offers level playing field

Abu Dhabi: England's Paul Casey, ranked No 2 in the 2006 European Tour after his brilliant win in the Volvo China Open in Shenzhen in late November, feels nobody has an advantage since Abu Dhabi is a new course.

Commenting on the course here Casey said: "I think it's nice because nobody has a huge advantage. I don't know who it suits yet because I haven't played the course," he said.

"I actually like playing in an event which is brand new and nobody knows what to expect," said Casey, who came up with a fabulous closing round of 65 to set up and win a play-off with Oliver Wilson in China.

Fresh from a five-week break, Casey said he was hoping to strike form quickly. "I just need to sharpen up a bit and get the ball in the hole. Might take a round or two. Hopefully it will click very quickly."

Commenting on the field here, Casey said he liked to start the season amidst a quality field.

"Straight away I'm into the thick of things. The field here is fantastic. These are exactly the type of events that I need to be playing in. The top guys are here and it is a fantastic opportunity to move up.

"But it also means that it's an incredibly tough tournament to win, or even finish in the top five."