The National’s Sport cover for the Thursday, January 21 issue, featuring Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy at the start of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Golf’s new guard is on full display for the first time in 2016 in the UAE capital, where Rickie Fowler is also among the trio of young hotshots at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Ahead of Thursday's opening round John McAuley details the budding Spieth-McIlroy rivalry:
“The duo have been paired together for the first two rounds in Abu Dhabi, with world No 6 Fowler for company, which is sure to attract eyeballs not only around the National Course but also across the planet.
“McIlroy admits he gets a buzz from contesting such heavyweight groupings.
“At world No 3, McIlroy ranks two behind the game’s top dog, and is expected to represent the American’s chief challenge this year.”
But, McAuley quotes Spieth noting he isn’t taking his place atop the sport’s pecking order for granted:
“Tiger [Woods], Phil [Mickelson], Rory: these guys have done more in the game of golf than I have and I want to strive to get to what they have done.
“I want my name to go down in history for as many things as it can. That’s where my mind is: I’m less satisfied with what’s happened and more hungry to try and keep it going.”
As for the suddenly hunting, instead of hunted, McIlroy:
“I made no secret about I want to get back to that position, and I’d like to do it as quick as possible,” he said. “That’s definitely a motivation.”
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