The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is back again in 2014, but are you ready for it? Make sure you’re on the ball for the golf event of the year.
Golf has come a long way since the Romans used bent sticks to hit balls into holes back in 100BC.
The modern form of golf is a whole new ball game. The original rules – all 13 of them – were penned by The Gentlemen Golfers in Scotland in 1744. Those rules have now expanded to a 100-page book co-published by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews, Scotland, and the United States Golf Association.
It’s those rules that are followed during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which is back at Abu Dhabi Golf Club January 16-19 2014 for the ninth year running.
In January 2013, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the world’s top two golfers, headlined the Championship – but it was Welshman Jamie Donaldson who swung to victory by a single shot in a surprise last-minute win.
Tournament director, Peter German of IMG Golf Operations, has organised 231 professional golf tournaments. He says, ‘My tip would be on Justin Rose winning this year – he came second in 2013. But it’ll be tight, so spectators should arrive early to get a good spot. I recommend sitting in the grandstand at the 17th – the penultimate hole. It has a great view of the 13th and 18th greens, and this year we have a new tee at the 18th hole – so there will be a lot going on.’
This year 126 players have confirmed their attendance. The world’s number one, Tiger Woods, won’t be playing, but current US Open champion Justin Rose, currently ranked number four in the world – will be, along with Rory McIlroy, another former world number one in Luke Donald, and Italian Matteo Manassero.
The championship will be played on the 18-hole, Par 72 National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club between the creek and Al Raha. Over 40,000 spectators are expected to attend the four-day event, while another 400 million will watch the Championship on TV.
The players will battle it out for the Falcon Trophy and US $2.7 million (Dhs9,920,000) cash – the most valuable golf purse in the Gulf.
Thu-Sun 7.20am-6pm, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl, www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990). One-day ticket Dhs50, four-day pass Dhs150. Mums and kids go free on Thu. Ladies go free on Fri. Wear red on Sat and get in free. Visit www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com.
Recent winners of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
2013 winner Jamie Donaldson
2012 winner Robert Rock
2011 winner Martin Kaymer
2010 winner Martin Kaymer
2009 winner Paul Casey
To find out how the world’s best golfers rank, visit www.officialworldgolfranking.com, which is updated weekly.
