European Tour heroes Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are the latest golfing superstars to enter the hunt for the prestigious Falcon Trophy at this year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
With a combined 60 victories between them, Poulter and Westwood have confirmed their appearance at the event, presented by EGA, which begins on 16thJanuary. The tournament is the first of eight Rolex Series events on the 2019 European Tour international schedule.
Poulter, the former world number five will be looking to capitalise on his recent good form that saw him victorious at the 2018 Houston Open claiming two valuable points for the European Ryder Cup team. “I can’t wait play The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship,” he said. “From the immaculate greens to the world-class hospitality, it is my favourite tournament in the Middle East.”
Fellow Englishman and former world number one, Lee Westwood, has enjoyed a stunning return to form recently, winning last month’s Rolex Series Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player in South Africa, and is looking to continue his rise up the world rankings in Abu Dhabi. “I’m looking ahead to my 2019 season after winning in South Africa, it’s pretty exciting,” said Westwood. “It felt great to finish the season with a win and now I can’t wait to get back out on Tour and try to continue where I left off in 2018. I’m thrilled to be heading to Abu Dhabi feeling like I am in with a really decent chance of featuring on the leader board.”
First staged in 2006, The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA is being hosted at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 14thconsecutive year from January 16th-19th. The tournament recently became part of the prestigious Rolex Series and with a prize fund now at US$7million (Dhs 25,700,000).
H.E. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Ian and Lee are two players who have lit up the golfing world over the last 20 years and we are delighted to welcome them back to Abu Dhabi. Such a strong calibre of player matches our new Rolex Series status and solidifies our position as a pioneer in the world of hosting top quality global sporting events.”
What: 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA
Where: Abu Dhabi Golf Club
When: 16th– 19thJanuary
Contact: Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.ae