Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Competition Heats Up

Oosthuizen’s South Africa Win And McDowell’s Record Round Put Pair In Frame.

Louis Oosthuizen’s credentials as the man to beat at next week’s 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship received a timely boost after the 28-year-old South African snatched a spectacular win at the Africa Open.

As the European Tour’s current form player, he already tops the money list for 2011 and, as one of the four 2010 Major winners taking part in this year’s Championship, running 20-23rd January at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, his recent ‘home soil’ win continues to put to bed any concerns that last year’s winning streak was a flash in the pan.

“It was fantastic to start the season with a win,” said Oosthuizen, who birdied the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to beat England’s Chris Wood and Spain’s Manuel Quiros to the title. “It was my first victory since the Open Championship and it was very special that it took place in South Africa in front of my home fans and friends and family.

“I am now really looking forward to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship next week and hope I can continue my good form. I will be working on my putting between now and then as I will need to be at my best to come out on top of such a strong field of world class players."

And it isn’t just triple European Tour winner Oosthuizen who is flexing his golfing muscles in the run up to the Abu Dhabi showpiece. Fellow 2010 Major winner, Graeme McDowell, has also been showing good form ahead of his challenge for the coveted Falcon Trophy.

Northern Ireland’s McDowell began his season in Hawaii and hit a course record-equaling 62 to take second in the Tournament of Champions at the Kapaula Resort. His success takes him to within a whisker of Phil Mickelson - another Major winner and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship rival - who is fourth in the world rankings.

In Asia, winning European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was busy orchestrating a remarkable fight-back for his continent in the Royal Trophy, which is staged between Europe and Asia in a similar format to that employed at Celtic Manor last year.

Going into the final day trailing 6-2, Montgomerie led a European transformation that saw his side end unbeaten to take the cup 9-7. Spectators in Abu Dhabi will be able to see each one of the winning Royal Trophy team on the National Course when Peter Hanson, Rhys Davies, Henrik Stenson, Frederik Andersson Hed, Matteo Manassero, Pablo Martin and Johan Edfors join Montgomerie for a shot at glory in the UAE capital.

“With so many leading players making such strong starts this season, we are on course for an epic Championship,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager for Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), the event organiser.

“We really do have the cream of golf participating next week and I think spectators will be in for an electric weekend of sporting prowess. Fans should get down to The National to cheer on their countrymen, they will need all the help they can get to lift the Falcon this year.”

With expectations for the biggest ever spectator turnout in 2011, ADTA has designed a substantially expanded Championship Village with more attractions, restaurants, cafes and competitions. The authority’s staging of the championship over the past six editions years is driving its strategy of building and promoting Abu Dhabi’s credentials as a golfing and leisure destination of distinction.

The emirate’s golfing facilities have expanded significantly over the past year with Abu Dhabi now boasting three world-class, championship-ready facilities. The Championship takes Abu Dhabi’s name across the world to golfers who are able to book golfing holidays through the increasing number of international and local tour operators who are packaging the sport in the emirate.

Regular Championship tickets are priced at AED125 for a daily pass and AED400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of AED100 and AED300, respectively, apply to UGA members. Children under 18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking is free during the Championship.

Tickets are available via the event’s official website, www.abudhabihsbcgolfchampionship.com, as well as online at www.timeouttickets.com and www.itptickets.com. Phone bookings can be made through the ITP toll-free hotline 800 4669, or for international visitors, +971 4 210 8943.

As part of the event’s new title sponsorship deal with HSBC, the world’s local bank, all HSBC customers gain free entry to the Championship on Thursday 20th and Sunday 23rd January by showing their debit/credit cards at the gate.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that also includes Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, Emirates Palace hotel, Etisalat, TDIC, Airbus, Xerox, CNN, Gulf News and Rolex.
 

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