Even with the switch to Yas Links, two-time champion Tommy Fleetwood hopes to lean on previous successes in his bid to capture a third Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The Englishman’s wins, in 2017 and 2018, came at the National Course, the tournament’s home since its inception in 2006, so of course that familiarity has gone.
“It's going to be a completely different test,” Fleetwood, competing on tour for the first time since November, said on Tuesday. “I think I've played this course once, maybe twice. But being honest; I remember very little about it.
“But you obviously draw on that I've had success in the area. First event of the year, you never quite know what to expect. I always feel very aware that I haven't played a tournament for a while and you feel rusty.
“But once you get going and get into, you start to pick up things about your game and feel a lot more in the flow of things. Draw on all the good experiences I've had in this event, and take the next two days to learn about the course, and start again.”
Since the back-to-back triumphs, Fleetwood has tended to begin the season in Abu Dhabi well. In his past two starts, he finished tied-2nd and tied-7th.
However, with the likes of world No 2 Collin Morikawa and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy in the field, and on that new layout, the 2017 Race to Dubai winner acknowledges a serious test awaits.
“I've been saying for a while, no matter where you play now, the standard of golf is so high, the margin for error is so small, and no matter where you are you're not going to get away with playing mediocre,” the world No 41 said.
“You have to turn up and give it some of your best form or highest level to compete with everyone out here. But it's great for the sport and it's great for this event to have so many great players here.
“I love playing over here. I love golf over here. I love how popular it is. But I've had success here, so there's a lot of good things going for me this week, and just excited to get going.”
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Defending Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton of England is flanked by Tommy Fleetwood of England, left, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. Getty Images -
Rory McIlroy inspects the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship trophy, held by last year's winner Tyrrell Hatton. Getty Images -
Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA and Adam Scott of Australia pose for a photo prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on January 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images -
Viktor Hovland of Norway. Getty Images -
Shane Lowry of Ireland looks on as he poses for a photo. Getty Images -
From left: Shane Lowry of Ireland, Viktor Hovland of Norway, Tommy Fleetwood of England, Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA, Adam Scott of Australia and Lee Westwood of England pose for a photo during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images -
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 18: A general view of the driving range as Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on January 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington / Getty Images) -
A view of the 18th green at Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images -
Tommy Fleetwood of England is interviewed by Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondent. Getty Images -
Collin Morikawa of the USA talks to the media during a virtual press conference. Getty Images -
General View of the 18th green at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images -
Connor Syme of Scotland plays a chip shot onto the third green. Getty Images -
From left: Viktor Hovland of Norway, Shane Lowry of Ireland, Tommy Fleetwood of England, Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA, Adam Scott of Australia and Lee Westwood of England pose for a photo. Getty Images -
Joachim B. Hansen of Denmark plays a bunker shot on the third hole during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images -
Joost Luiten of the Netherlands putts on the 16th green. Getty Images -
James Morrison of England plays a shot on the seventh hole. Getty Images -
Maximilian Kiefer of Germany plays a shot on the seventh hole. Getty Images -
Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain plays a bunker shot onto the second green during a practice round at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images -
Daniel van Tonder of South Africa putts on the eighth green. Getty Images -
A general view of the 18th green. Getty Images
