With the eyes of the golf world focused on the UAE capital for this weekend’s 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, many of the sport’s biggest names have assembled in the emirate to ready their assault on the coveted Falcon trophy and lion’s share of the newly increased US$2.7 million prize purse.

Two of the world’s most in form golfers, Ian Poulter and Graeme ‘GMac’ McDowell - who come off the back of their Ryder Cup heroics in Celtic Manor, Wales, last year after playing a leading role in Europe taking back the trophy - were in buoyant moods ahead of the Championship, running 20-23rd January in Abu Dhabi.

Poulter, the flamboyant Englishman from Hertfordshire, was runner up at last year’s event, narrowly missing out to Martin Kaymer – a two-time winner in Abu Dhabi and reigning PGA Champion. Hot on the heels of one of his most prolific scoring seasons, Poulter is determined to go one better this time, after putting in a solid practice round on Tuesday.

“It’s a great start to the year and I always look forward to Abu Dhabi – especially this year with the course upgrades. The par fives that have been lengthened suit my game, and I’m looking forward to being in the running come Sunday. I’d like to start this season off where I left the last… winning,” said Poulter, whose sharp iron play is matched only by his keen on-course dress sense.

Meanwhile Northern Irishman McDowell, who has enjoyed a career best season last year, winning three European Tour events and securing his first Major with the U.S. Open in 2010, is also keen to impress, knowing an Abu Dhabi win would keep his momentum flowing into the new season.

“It says a lot for the field this week, having the four Major champions here, and four of the world’s top five. It’s pretty cool and it’s pretty great to be here and have a field like that,” said McDowell, who sank the winning putt the 2010 Ryder Cup to snatch the win for Europe. “This golf course has gone from strength to strength, and it sounds like the tournament is only going to get better.”

And both players will be looking to start the year off well in front of newly appointed European Ryder Cup team captain, José María Olazábal, who was confirmed today to the world’s media, at a press conference at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

The 44-year-old Spaniard will succeed Colin Montgomerie, who is also playing in Abu Dhabi this week, for the next edition of the Ryder Cup, which will take place in Chicago in 2012.

One of the European Tour’s favourite golfers, Olazábal formed an historic Spanish Ryder Cup pairing with Seve Ballesteros that began in 1987 and saw the duo winning elevenof their 15 matches together. He was vice-captain to Nick Faldo at Valhalla in 2008, when he was hailed for his extraordinary motivational skills.

With its strongest-ever line-up, golf fans can look forward to seeing a whole host of stars in action over the coming week with the world’s number one golfer, Lee Westwood, and all four of last year’s Major winners ready to do battle for Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Trophy. They are part of a field which includes six of the world’s top 10 and boasts 15 Major titles, 340 European Tour wins and 42 Ryder cup victories.

The 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is set to attract its biggest ever spectator turnout from Thursday, with the organisers, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) having arranged a substantially expanded Championship Village with more attractions, restaurants, cafes and competitions than ever in the six years of the Championship.

Championship tickets are AED125 for a daily pass and AED400 for a four-day pass. Preferential rates of AED100 and AED300, respectively, apply to EGF members. Children under 18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult, while HSBC card holders can also get in free by presenting their card on arrival. 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.

Also, look out for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Facebook fan page - www.Facebook.com/AbuDhabiHSBCGolfChampionship2011 - which has a whole host of competitions and carries information about the tournament and golfers in attendance.

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

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