ABU DHABI // Jordan Spieth, the reigning Masters and US Open champion, will make his Middle East debut in January after he was confirmed on Wednesday for the 2016 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The American, the current world No. 1, heads another star-studded field that includes four of the top seven players in the global rankings, with Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson having also been secured for the January 21-24 event. Fowler made his Abu Dhabi debut earlier this year.
“I am looking forward to coming to Abu Dhabi, especially after Rickie told me about what a fantastic event it is,” said Spieth, 22. “I love to travel and see the world and I am excited to not only play in the event, but also checking out Abu Dhabi for the first time.”
MORE GOLF NEWS
Justin Rose sets sights on Race to Dubai title after adjusting season’s ambition
Danny Willett aims to leapfrog Rory McIlroy in Race to Dubai rankings
HSBC extends sponsorship of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for five years
Last month, Spieth was named PGA Tour player of the year following a breakout 2015 furnished by five wins, including the first two majors of the year, while he missed the play-off at The Open by one shot and finished runner-up in the US PGA Championship. He banked a single-season record $12 million (Dh44m) on the PGA Tour before capturing the FedEx Cup and its $10m bonus.
Spieth’s participation at Abu Dhabi Golf Club is sure to attract significant numbers to the National Course. The tournament, in its 11th iteration, has become one of the most popular on the European Tour and kicks off the three-legged Desert Swing, which comprises Abu Dhabi, the Qatar Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Spieth will be joined at the $2.7m event by McIlroy, the world No. 3 and four-time major champion, world No. 5 Fowler and world No. 7 Stenson. After finishing tied-66th on debut last year, Fowler triumphed at The Players Championship, the Scottish Open and the Deutsche Bank Championship. That success continued the American’s steady rise, since the previous year he became only the third player to record top-five spots in all four majors in the same season.
“The past two years have been pivotal in my career,” Fowler said. “Getting three great tour wins under my belt this year and coming so close in the four majors in 2014 has given me confidence.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with my game than ever, and I’m looking forward to starting with a tough test against some of the big names in Abu Dhabi, which I hope will set me up nicely for the season ahead.”
McIlroy, meanwhile, knows Abu Dhabi well having played the past eight tournaments there. Last year, he was runner-up for the fourth time in five years, finishing one shot behind Frenchman Gary Stal.
“Abu Dhabi always brings an outstanding player field, and with Jordan and Rickie competing in January, this will a superb test for me to start off the 2016 season,” McIlroy said. “I’ve come close in Abu Dhabi several times now, so I’ll be 100 per cent ready for January’s challenge.”
Stenson has contested every Abu Dhabi event since its inception in 2006 and holds the course record, 62. He has won three of the other Middle East events – next week he attempts to clinch a third successive DP World Tour Championship - and needs only the Falcon Trophy to complete the set.
“Abu Dhabi is very close to my heart,” said Stenson, a former Dubai resident. “I’m one of only 14 players to have competed every year in Abu Dhabi, and I’ve always enjoyed starting my season there. After two runner-up placings, it’s no secret that I would love to win on the National course.”
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE
