ABU DHABI // Lee Westwood, the European No 1, predicted the fifth Abu Dhabi Championship could produce one of the tightest battles for the title in its short history. The 36-year-old has fond memories of playing in the Emirates after a stunning display at the Earth course in November saw him finish on 23-under and claim both the Dubai World Championship and the inaugural Race to Dubai.
But the Englishman, who finished second in Abu Dhabi two years ago, expects a far more difficult challenge this weekend. "I think it's a little more severe off the tee here [than at Earth]," he said. "There's not as much room and the par-5s seem to play longer as well, so this would appear to be a harder test and the fact that it is the first week out after six or seven weeks off, most of the players won't have that sharpness."
Last year's winner, Paul Casey, finished on 21-under for a record low score, while Germany's Martin Kaymer's victory in 2008 took the most shots as he finished on 15 under. Westwood says recent course alterations mean spectators can expect a higher score once more. "I can't see it being a 23-under course. With this kind of rough, and especially the firmness of the greens, I think we are probably looking around 14-under," he said.
"But I don't know, if I was a gambling man, I would never bet this week because it's very difficult to predict how people are going to come out after the break." @Email:gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
