Immelman is in for the long haul

It is difficult to imagine the type of scares that have visited the US Masters champion Trevor Immelman over the past year or so.

South Africa's Trevor Immelman is hoping to add the other three majors to his US Masters title and complete a grand slam.

ABU DHABI // He has been on more exacting journeys in his life over the past year or so, but the nature of the ground covered by Trevor Immelman to reach Abu Dhabi sounded highly tedious, even if the US Masters champion remains an appealing sort of character.

The South African player spent more than a day travelling from his last tournament in Hawaii to reach the Middle East where he finished five-under par. Considering his next major dalliance with the European Tour will come only in July when he plays the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond before Turnberry hosts the British Open, he hardly struck oil after the long haul. Immelman was left among the nether regions of the field, but cut a figure of contentment.

It is difficult to imagine the type of scares that have visited Immelman over the past year or so. This is a man who required an operation to remove a benign tumour from his diaphragm 14 months ago. But Immelman seems like a splendid companion, the type of figure with whom one could share a soft drink after an arduous day on the course. "I last played over here in Dubai in 2003," he said. "It's been a while, and it has been fantastic. From 2004 onwards, I started trying to get some invites in the US.

"I found myself missing this part of the world, which is unfortunate because I have enjoyed this week and would love to come back. "They are great greens, but I could not make enough putts. I've loved the course this week. It's been beautifully set up. They deserve a top-notch tournament like this. "It's a great test of golf. They've kept the rough up, so you've got to hit good quality, straight shots.

"Your looking at 31 hours in the air to get here in total, but it has been worth it. " Immelman was displaying little or no form before he rampaged to the Masters at Augusta last April, managing to repel Tiger Woods in the death throes of the tournament. This year, the Augusta National will embrace a South African dish as the traditional dinner for the champion, before he gets his teeth into the tournament.

On the cusp of his 30th birthday, a career haul of the four majors is on Immelman's mind. "In golf it is more difficult than any other sport, but the ultimate dream would be to win the grand slam, and win all four in a career," he said. "That is something not too many guys have done. Obviously, the pressure is off seeing as I've won one already. "I'm just going to try to prepare my best, and go for it."