ABU DHABI // A strong field for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship became even more imposing on Friday when former winners Paul Casey and Robert Rock were confirmed for next week’s European Tour event, as well as the major winners Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke.
The 72-hole, US$2.7 million (Dh9.92m) tournament begins on Thursday at the National Course, in the capital, and ends on Sunday.
Four of the world’s top 10 had already committed to play in the ninth edition of the event, led by Henrik Stenson, the Swede ranked No 3; No 5 Phil Mickelson, the American who has five major championships; and No 6 Rory McIlroy.
Englishman Casey, ranked 88th in the world, won at the National Course in 2007 and 2009, and soon after the latter win achieved his highest world ranking, No 3. With a win next week, he can match the three Abu Dhabi titles won by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the most recent in 2011.
Robert Rock was the shock winner in 2012, when he entered the final round tied with Tiger Woods for the lead. Rock proved steadier than Woods to shoot a 2-under 70 to win his second European Tour championship. McIlroy was second by a shot as Woods tied for third.
Harrington in 2008 became the first European to win back-to-back major championships, the British Open followed three weeks later by the PGA Championship, the most recent victory by the 42-year-old Irishman. Clarke, the affable Northern Irishman and five-time Ryder Cup player, won the 2011 British Open by a shot over Dustin Johnson and Mickelson.
Miguel Angel Jimenez, the popular Spaniard known for his ponytail, cigars and swashbuckling playing style, also will play in Abu Dhabi. Jimenez turned 50 last week and is ranked No 48 after winning the Hong Kong Open in a play-off last month, his 20th European Tour victory. By winning, he extended his own record as the oldest player to win a championship on the European Tour.
Jimenez will be part of a strong Spanish contingent that includes world No 10 Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Quiros, who recorded two victories in the UAE in 2011 with wins in the Dubai Desert Classic in February and the DP World Tour Championship in December.
Also ready to live up to his star billing is young gun Thorbjorn Olesen, the rising Dane who often practises in the UAE with his compatriot and golfing idol Soren Hansen, who will also be in Abu Dhabi for a shot at the title.
Stenson comes to Abu Dhabi with the best recent form, having won three times in 2013, including the season-ending events on both the US and European tours, the Tour Championship and the DP World Tour championship, respectively.
McIlroy will be closely watched, as well. Abu Dhabi will be his first event of 2014 and his first since announcing his engagement to the tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. The Northern Irishman had a difficult 2013, with his only win for the year coming in last month’s Australian Open.
sports@thenational.ae
