How did you start your golfing career?
I only started playing at the age of ten after my father, Horst, a former semi- professional footballer, joined a club in our hometown of Mettmann, near Düsseldorf. I started taking lessons aged 12 and was playing off scratch by the age of 15. I turned professional in 2005 and in 2006 played on the EPD Tour before playing on the Challenge Tour and after playing in only eight events I finished fourth on the 2006 Challenge Tour Order of Merit, winning my 2007 European Tour Card.
You’ve said that you really enjoy playing at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, what do you like about playing on it?
Everything! I feel so at home there – almost as if I am playing in front of my home fans now, on my home course, after the years I have been playing there. I love the hotel we stay in, the weather is almost always fantastic and the course really suites my eye. Everyone at the club, the ADTA and the tournament staff are so welcoming and I look forward to returning each year. I have a special confidence and feeling there now after winning three times.
What sort of preparations do you go through for a tournament like this?
I have a nice rest over Christmas before getting in the gym and starting to work really hard on my game to make sure I am really comfortable with everything before I get there. I practice in Arizona and I think the conditions are very similar, which is perhaps another reason I have had so much success in Abu Dhabi.
What do you love about playing in these types of tournaments?
Obviously winning in Abu Dhabi makes it one of the more special tournaments I play. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is now one of the strongest tournaments on the European Tour outside of the Majors and the World Golf Championships, and that makes it very exciting – it has a really strong field and I love going up against the best players in the world. The Abu Dhabi golf fans are fantastic too.
What advice would you give to budding golfers?
Enjoy your golf, try your best but remember golf is just a game.
What other sports are you interested in?
Football, basketball and go-karting – though I am a little less keen on go-karting nowadays since I broke my foot in 2009 and was out of golf for two months.
Is there anything you like to do while in Abu Dhabi?
I like to win the golf tournament! No, seriously I do feel really at home there. I love staying in the Emirates Palace and eating in all the great restaurants. It is also really nice to see all my friends on the European Tour and catch up after the winter break.
The HSBC Golf Championship takes place from January 26-29. For tickets and more information visit www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com.
