Ian Poulter adds name to Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Ian Poulter will play both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Dubai Desert Classic. Ian Walton / Getty Images

Former world No 5 Ian Poulter on Friday confirmed his participation in both the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“Pretty excited to head to Abu Dhabi on Sunday for the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship,” Poulter wrote on his Twitter account.

“Then spending a week practicing in Dubai then Desert Classic.”

Poulter, 41, has won 12 European Tour titles and twice on the PGA Tour, among them the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2012 and the 2020 WGC-Match Play Championship. His best finish in the majors came at the 2008 British Open when he finished runner-up behind Padraig Harrington.

However, the Englishman is perhaps best known for his Ryder Cup exploits. He has won all three tournaments he has competed in, claiming 12 points from a possible 15, and was a central figure in Europe’s unlikely victory at Medinah Country Club, Illinois in 2012. Requiring eight points from a possible 12 in the final day singles, Poulter and Europe produced one of the greatest comebacks in Ryer Cup history to retain the trophy.

Poulter’s 2016 season was disrupted by a foot injury that ruled him out for four months and possible Ryder Cup contention, although he was named as one of Europe captain Darren Clarke’s vice-captains.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship takes place January 19-22 and will see the likes of Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson in action.

The European Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ then heads to Qatar before returning to the UAE for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on February 2-5. Joining Poulter, McIlroy and Stenson will be former world No 1 and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods.

* The National staff

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