Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 - On The Tee Round 1

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15 january 2015

Chapter

What better way to celebrate 10 amazing years of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship than to assemble the strongest ever field to contest it?

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By Robbie Greenfield

orld No.1 Rory McIlroy leads an all-star cast of major winners, Ryder Cup heroes and former champions as the landmark 10th anniversary edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship gets underway today. Energised from their winter breaks, the best players on the planet will be desperate to lift the Falcon Trophy on this milestone occasion, but recent history tells us to expect the unexpected.

The field may be the strongest we have ever seen in Abu Dhabi, but it’s also the deepest, with more potential champions than ever before. McIlroy was

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championship latest news

Exciting American talent Rickie Fowler makes his debut, and Rory McIlroy returns determined to avoid a run-in with the rulebook

06 groups to watch

With a wealth of talent assembled in the UAE capital, there are plenty of star threeballs to follow. Here is our pick of the very best

Published in association with

the outstanding golfer in 2014, winning two majors in exhilirating fashion, a WGC and the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship. Three times a runner-up in the UAE capital, he will tee off as the favourite to finally land the coveted ‘W’ here, but everywhere you look, convincing alternatives stand out.

Henrik Stenson just needs this title to complete a full set of ‘Desert Swing’ trophies, and who would bet against the in-form World No.2 once again finding his groove in the UAE? Martin Kaymer is the championship’s most prolific performer, having won the title three times and played a four-year stretch ..continued on page 2...

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order of play

A full list of tee times for every player in the field over the first two rounds. A quick and easy way to check where your favourites are

15 spectator information

More championship news, a course map and spectator guide, plus a closer look at the spectacular Championship Village

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round 1

news

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer Group Editor and Managing Partner Ian Fairservice Editorial Director Gina Johnson Senior Editor Mark Evans Editor Robbie Greenfield Senior Writer Clive Agran Art Director Clarkwin Cruz GM – Group Sales Anthony Milne Publisher David Burke Head of Production S. Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager R. Murali Krishnan Images Ajith Narendra, Getty Images

Head Office: Media One Tower, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 427 3000; Fax +971 4 428 2270 Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE Tel +971 4 390 3550; Fax +971 4 390 4845 Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE Tel +971 2 677 2005; Fax +971 2 677 0124 London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae Printed by IPP, Dubai

Continued from Front Page... in a cumulative 80 under par between 2008 (the year of his breakthrough triumph) and 2011 (scene of the most dominant performance anyone has ever witnessed in the UAE capital).

Acknowledging that a modified, tougher National course presents an altogether different challenge, Kaymer

has in turn made changes to his own preparation for one of his favourite events of the year in a bid to return to winning ways (for more, see page 7).

Then there is the not inconsiderable threat posed by Justin Rose. A runnerup here to Jamie Donaldson in 2013, the Englishman missed last year’s championship through injury and clearly relishes the precise demands of a layout that rewards both accuracy and powerful hitting in equal measure. As horses for courses go, U.S. Open specialist Rose could scarcely be more at ease on the National course.

Newcomer Rickie Fowler is the fifth member of this ‘big five’, and what he

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stat attack

Current and former World No.1s in the field

lacks in prior experience here in Abu Dhabi, he should more than make up for in terms of a quite phenomenally consistent recent record. Fowler placed in the top five of all four majors in 2014, putting him in the rarefied company of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only other players to

accomplish that feat. Now all he needs is an elusive victory, and who’s to say that won’t arrive here this week? Like Rose, Fowler possess a scarily accurate long game that will surely stand him in good stead.

But if the trend of recent years continues, none of these stars will be hoisting the trophy come Sunday night.

Pablo Larrazabal’s win last year was the third consecutive time a relative underdog has upset a golfing great, and with so many potential winners all desperate to land the Falcon Trophy this week, we can only suggest that you put all assumptions to one side and expect the unexpected!

Rory’s raring to go Scribbling his goals for the year on the back of a boarding pass as he flew out to the UAE, Rory McIlroy’s first target is to keep well clear of any rules mishaps this week

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By Clive Agran

hen those around him were watching a movie or reading a book, Rory McIlroy used the six-hour flight from Dublin to the UAE on January 6 to reflect on what he is hoping to achieve this year. And then, as he has done every year he has been a pro, he wrote down his goals (there are seven) on the back of a boarding pass and tucked it into his wallet.

Although the contents of this list is secret, it could very well be that winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is there somewhere. The World No.1 has come so close so often that he must surely be thinking a victory is overdue.

In the past, careless rules infringements have cost him dear. Three years ago he absent-mindedly brushed sand off the fringe of the green to earn a two-shot penalty and then last year he inadvertently failed to take what is

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known as ‘full relief’ when dropping from an area trampled down by the galleries and was penalised another two shots. Both errors cost him the title.

“I think one of the goals this week is to have no penalty shots when I don’t need them,” he declared. Speaking to On the Tee, the Northern Irishman also heaped praise on the tournament. “I think I’ve played in eight of the ten events and it’s just gotten better and better every year. It’s a perfect place to come out and prepare for the season.

It’s great weather, it’s a great golf course and they get a great field each and every year. So to be able to start off the season and test yourself against the best players in the world is perfect.”

“It’s a course I really feel comfortable on and it’s a course I know I can win on and so it’s just a matter of being smart and being fully aware of what I’m doing and not brushing sand off a fringe or having my foot on a white line when it shouldn’t be there.”

Q + A : Fa i s a l A l S h e i k h

A Warm Welcome!

On the special occasion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship’s 10th anniversary, On The Tee caught up with Faisal Al Sheikh, Director of Events Bureau for the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, who is delighted to welcome all fans to the start of a memorable week of sporting action and family fun Interview by Robbie Greenfield

ow would you describe both the evolution of the championship and the emirate of Abu Dhabi itself in these 10 amazing years? The Championship has grown exponentially over the past 10 years, and has now become one of the biggest events on the PGA European Tour and the jewel in the ‘Desert Swing’. We’ve been thrilled to host the world’s best players from both the European and PGA Tours, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson all making regular appearances over the past 10 years. Incredibly, our athletes over the 10 years have come from 26 countries and boasted 358 European and PGA Tour wins between them! ▶▶▶ How important has the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship been in making Abu Dhabi one of the most exciting new golf destinations in the world? Under the umbrella of TCA Abu Dhabi, the Championship has played a pivotal role in establishing Abu Dhabi as one of the most exciting new golf destinations in the world. With the event reaching a global television audience of 400 million year on year, it shines a spotlight on the emirate showcasing the world-class quality of our courses and their ability to attract - and truly challenge - the world’s best golfers. ▶▶▶ What is your favourite memory from the championship? Wow! Good question. It’s hard to choose one, but my favourite golfing moment has to be Robert Rock holding off McIlroy, McDowell, Bjorn and Woods down the stretch in 2012. According to the Official

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World Golf Ranking, 2012 is still our strongest player field ever, so Robert did incredibly well to win that year.

The best non-sporting moment was the announcement of our partnership with HSBC in 2011 - the Championship hasn’t looked back since and we are very grateful to their invaluable contribution both on and off the course. You won’t find a better sponsor in global sport. ▶▶▶ The Championship Village gets more exciting and entertaining each year.

What new attractions can fans expect in 2015 and how important is the family fun element for the spectator experience here? Every year we look to improve the Championship Village, creating an even more exciting visitor experience. 2015 is no different, as we’ve got new trick shot displays, sports challenges like ‘Foot golf’ and a host of unexpected surprises that everyone can enjoy! The ‘family fun’ element is critical to the development of the Championship and we pride ourselves on offering an experience that welcomes the whole community. It’s for this reason why we charge just AED50 for a day ticket and AED 150 for a Championship pass, we want everyone to come down and experience this brilliant Abu Dhabi event. ▶▶▶ We’ve had 10 years of incredible growth for the Championship, but where would you like to see the event 10 years from now? Our vision for the Championship is to carry on growing the event. In 10 years I’d like to see an even better player field, more fans and lots more unexpected surprises. Through this vision we also want to carry on growing local participation in golf, introducing the next generation of Emirati youth to this fantastic sport.

“Incredibly, our athletes over the 10 years have come from 26 countries and boasted 358 European and PGA Tour wins between them!”

Over the last 10 years we have built a fantastic platform delivering world class sporting events in the capital, 10 years from now I am confident we will be looking back and remarking on how far the Championship has come on again. ▶▶▶ Do you envisage the event ever moving to one of the other great courses in Abu Dhabi? Abu Dhabi is home to three fantastic championship courses in Abu

Dhabi Golf Club, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Yas Links Abu Dhabi – all of which would be worthy of hosting the world’s best golfers. Moving golf courses is a huge decision however and not to be taken lightly. Abu Dhabi Golf Club improves every year - our sponsors love it and we are fully committed to this facility. ▶▶▶ Having set the bar so high, how do you look to keep innovating and improving the Championship? We’re confident the event will keep on growing and cementing its place as one of the biggest events on the European Tour. Each year we’re attracting the newest and most exciting young players, such as US sensation Rickie Fowler, who makes his Abu Dhabi debut this week. We make a conscious effort to work with our stakeholders and improve the National Course - this year we’ve changed the 2nd, 4th and 12th greens and brought the water more into play. The 16th hole has also been remodelled based on player feedback we canvassed at the 2014 Championship. Finally, we are always looking at ways of driving the Championship’s legacy on a local level and you’ll see this enhanced in future years. I guarantee you there will be more Ahmed Al Musharrekhs playing in future years and inspiring the next generation!

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Amazing Years

THE QUIZ

How good is your knowledge of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship?

FOWLER FLIES THE FLAG B y flying in from the USA to play in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Rickie Fowler is following in the famous footsteps of such other outstanding American golfers as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. But not since Chris DiMarco captured the inaugural title back in 2006 have the Stars and Stripes tasted success. With his astonishing record in last year’s majors (when he was constantly in contention), Fowler could be just the man to end the barren spell.

Excited to be here, the World No.10 expressed the hope that he would play around the world more often. “I haven’t played on the European Tour very much so I’m excited to kind of expand that and look forward to more trips to this part of the world and throughout Europe in the near future. Playing worldwide is something I want to do and I want to become a bit more of a global player.”

Asked about the Ryder Cup, Fowler, who is a member of the US task force set up to try and put an end to the European

domination of the event, explained that the PGA is trying to involve as many players as possible in the process. “It’s a great way to get guys more involved and feel like they have an impact on the team; not that the Ryder Cup doesn’t get you fired up enough when you’re there. I know we’re looking forward to two years from now and see if we can put a better fight and get the Ryder Cup back on our home soil.”

As for who will be the next US captain, Fowler revealed he would love to play under Freddie Couples. “He’s a guy I’ve looked up to for a long time. He doesn’t really show too much of a care, he goes out and has a good time.”

Win or lose, Rickie Fowler is sure he will have a good time this week and even expressed a hope that he might be able to fit in a little dune boarding, go-karting and Ferrari World. But for the moment his principal focus is this championship and possibly exacting a measure of revenge for what happened at Gleneagles last September.

Ever-present Henrik hopes his time has come

2. Who is the only player to have successfully defended the Falcon Trophy?

Martin Kaymer Paul Casey Robert Rock 3. In which year was the inaugural ADGC played?

2007 2005 2006 4. Martin Kaymer has played 28 rounds in this championship. How many of those were in the 60s?

13 18 23 5. Who is the only American to have won this championship?

Tiger Woods Chris DiMarco Phil Mickelson 6. In 2012, which hole gave up three holes-in-one?

4 7 12 7. How many times has Rory McIlroy finished runner-up in Abu Dhabi?

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s one of only 13 players who have played in all 10 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships, Henrik Stenson thinks it about time he won. Twice runner-up, the World No 2 is confident he can go one better this year. “Yeah, this is the one that’s missing and I would like to have it and probably fancy my chances a little bit more this time around. Winning tournaments is important and the bigger they are, the sweeter it is.”

Stenson believes he is fresher coming into this week than he was in 2014. “I just feel a little bit more ready to go and a little bit in better shape than I was last year.” But the course record holder doubted that the 62 he shot in 2006 will be bettered over the next four days. “The course has changed quite a bit. There are a few holes that are longer and there’s a few more bunkers. It’s definitely been updated and made tougher as we’ve gone along. But so has the game of golf, the

1. Can you name at least six of the nine major champions competing this week?

8. How many play-offs have there been in this championship?

0 1 2 9. Which is the only par three never to have been aced in this championship?

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quality of golf, the players and so on. So I wouldn’t say it’s impossible to shoot 61 or tie the course record but it’s definitely harder to do it now than it was in 2006.”

A win this week would also enable Stenson to close the considerable gap that

has opened up between him and World No.1 Rory McIlroy. “For me, personally, I would rather win a major than be World No.1, if I had to choose between the two.

Of course, I wouldn’t mind to get both at the same time. That would be nice.”

10. What’s the course record and who holds it?

62, Henrik Stenson 63, Phil Mickelson 64, Charl Schwartzel

*Turn to page 14 for the answers

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g r o u p s t o w at c h

star attractions With so much golfing talent on display, it’s not easy to identify the stand-out groups.

So, ever eager to help, here we do our best to point you in the right direction.

• Henrik Stenson • Ernie Els • Jamie Donaldson

Game 12 07:30am 10th tee

Henrik Stenson shot a remarkable course-record 62 at the inaugural championship here in 2006 when he finished runner-up. The Swede is enjoying a rich vein of form at the moment and only a couple of months ago was crowned DP World Tour Champion just down the road in Dubai. Ernie Els is hoping to become the oldest ever winner here, while Jamie Donaldson won this championship in 2013. Another Ryder Cup hero from Gleneagles, the Welshman has broken into the world’s top 25 and will be looking to rise even higher this week.

• Rory McIlroy • Matteo Manassero • Rickie Fowler

Game 13 07:40am 10th tee

Although he’s never won this championship, Rory McIlroy is almost invariably in the hunt and has only finished outside the top 11 on one of his eight starts. Runner-up three times in the last four years, he might well feel he has some unfinished business to sort out. Matteo Manassero is a Golf in Abu Dhabi ambassador, so it would be fitting if he lifted the famous Falcon Trophy on Sunday night. Ricky Fowler is hoping to become the first American since Chris DiMarco in 2006 to win here and do what neither Tiger Woods nor Phil Mickelson could manage.

• Victor Dubuisson • Charl Schwartzel • Miguel Ángel Jiménez

Game 22 11:45am 1st tee

One of the European Ryder Cup heroes, Victor Dubuisson won many admirers at Gleneagles as well as plenty of points. Now in the world’s top 20, the likeable Frenchman looks set to rise even higher. Runner-up last week in front of his own fans at the South African Open, Charl Schwartzel could well go one better this week. Although eligible to play on the Seniors’ circuit, the evergreen Miguel Ángel Jiménez can still compete with golfers half his age and is always hugely popular with the spectators, but no one over the age of 40 has ever won this championship.

• Pablo Larrazábal • Justin Rose • Martin Kaymer

Game 23 11:55am 1st tee

Pablo Larrazábal is attempting to do what no one other than Martin Kaymer has done: successfully defend the Falcon Trophy. If he putts anything like as well this year as he did in 2014 he will almost certainly be right in the mix. Justin Rose was simply sensational at the Ryder Cup and came very close here a couple of years ago when runner-up to Jamie Donaldson by just a single shot. Martin Kaymer will be looking for an astonishing fourth win here and, if he gets off to a good start, might well take some catching.

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news

Kaymer goes off Piste

...in search of fresh approach

learn and master the correct technique.

Was he any good? “I was one of those guys we sometimes see in pro-ams who doesn’t hit the ball very well but looks great and has the best equipment! That’s the way I looked on the ski slopes. No idea what I’m doing, don’t even know how to get the boot in the ski but looked great and had all the protection.”

stat attack When he triumphed in 2008 aged just 23 years and 24 days, Martin Kaymer became the youngest ever winner of this championship.

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By Clive Agran

ow did the man with the most remarkable record of success here at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship prepare for this year’s tournament? Well, Martin Kaymer, a three-time winner here and the undisputed master of the National course,

certainly didn’t spend Christmas pounding balls on the range or lifting weights in the gym. Instead, the German got as far away from golf as he could and went skiing for the first time in his life.

“I wanted to have something in my mind that I could focus on which had nothing to do with golf. You almost have to force yourself to get away from it. If I would just have been at home

I would have been confronted with something related to golf.” Escaping to the mountains took the two-time major champion away from such constant reminders as answering fan mail, signing US Open flags, the aftermath of the Ryder Cup and instead presented him with an entirely fresh challenge.

Being a competitive sportsman, he took lessons and naturally wanted to

Ominously for the rest of the field, after his high altitude escape, Kaymer now feels throughly refreshed and is raring to play golf again. His last victory on the National course came in 2011 when he lapped the rest of the field en route to an eight-stroke triumph. But a missed cut a year later and some mediocre performances since have left him determined to return to winning ways.

“I’m just approaching it as a neutral tournament,” he insists. “If I compared this week to those years where I won and played very well, I would automatically be putting pressure on myself. For me it’s a case of approaching it like a regular event [albeit] one I love to play.”

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o r d e r o f p l ay

Order of Play Thursday

[ 15 january 2015 ]

Plan your day watching your favourite players with this guide to the groupings and tee times.

1. TIME 07:20 ◆ TEE: 1 Callum shinkwin (eng) Lee slattery (eng) Shiv kapur (ind)

11. TIME 07:20 ◆ TEE: 10 Anthony wall (eng) Mark tullo (chi) Thomas aiken (rsa)

21. TIME 11:35 ◆ TEE: 1 Garth mulroy (rsa) Richard bland (eng) Matthew fitzpatrick (eng)

32. TIME 11:35 ◆ TEE: 10 Steve webster (eng) Fabrizio zanotti (par) Dominic foos (ger)

2. TIME 07:30 ◆ TEE: 1 Grégory havret (fra) Thomas pieters (bel) David horsey (eng)

12. TIME 07:30 ◆ TEE: 10 Henrik stenson (swe) Ernie els (rsa) Jamie donaldson (wal)

22. TIME 11:45 ◆ TEE: 1 Victor dubuisson (fra) Charl scHwartzel (rsa) Miguel Ángel jimÉnez (esp)

33. TIME 11:45 ◆ TEE: 10 Alex noren (swe) Jin jeong (kor) Niclas fasth (swe)

3. TIME 07:40 ◆ TEE: 1 Alessandro tadini (ita) Andres hansen (den) Chris doak (sco)

13. TIME 07:40 ◆ TEE: 10 Rory McIlroy (nir) Matteo manassero (ita) Rickie fowler (usa)

23. TIME 11:55 ◆ TEE: 1 Pablo larrazÁbal (ESP) Justin rose (eng) Martin kaymer (ger)

34. TIME 11:55 ◆ TEE: 10 Kristoffer broberg (swe) Eddie pepperell (eng) Ollie schniederjans (AM) (usa)

4. TIME 07:50 ◆ TEE: 1 Magnus A carlsson (swe) Tom lewis (eng) Jbe kruger (rsa)

14. TIME 07:50 ◆ TEE: 10 Danny willett (eng) Thorbjørn olesen (den) Branden grace (rsa)

24. TIME 12:05 ◆ TEE: 1 Andy sullivan (eng) Alexander levy (fra) Tommy fleetwood (eng)

35. TIME 12:05 ◆ TEE: 10 Emiliano grillo (arg) Tyrrell hatton (eng) Felipe aguilar (chi)

5. TIME 08:00 ◆ TEE: 1 Sam hutsby (eng) Lucas bjerregaard (den) GUAN (AM) Tian-lang (chn)

15. TIME 08:00 ◆ TEE: 10 Chris dimarco (usa) Robert rock (eng) Ross fisher (eng)

25. TIME 12:15 ◆ TEE: 1 Mikko ilonen (fin) George coetzee (rsa) Y. E. yang (kor)

36. TIME 12:15 ◆ TEE: 10 Morten Ørum madsen (den) Simon dyson (eng) Johan carlsson (swe)

6. TIME 08:10 ◆ TEE: 1 David howell (eng) Grégory bourdy (fra) Richie ramsay (sco)

16. TIME 08:10 ◆ TEE: 10 Oliver wilson (eng) David lipsky (usa) Marc Warren (sco)

26. TIME 12:25 ◆ TEE: 1 Darren clarke (nir) Robert karlsson (swe) Paul lawrie (sco)

37. TIME 12:25 ◆ TEE: 10 Richard finch (eng) Jason palmer (eng) Mark foster (eng)

7. TIME 08:20 ◆ TEE: 1 Richard sterne (rsa) Peter uihlein (usa) Craig lee (sco)

17. TIME 08:20 ◆ TEE: 10 Nicolas colsaerts (bel) Anirban lahiri (ind) Alvaro quiros (esp)

27. TIME 12:35 ◆ TEE: 1 Scott hend (aus) Bernd wiesberger (aut) Rafa cabrera-bello (esp)

38. TIME 12:35 ◆ TEE: 10 Richard green (aus) Maximilian kieffer (ger) Seve benson (eng)

8. TIME 08:30 ◆ TEE: 1 Benjamin hebert (fra) Julien quesne (fra) Matthew nixon (eng)

18. TIME 08:30 ◆ TEE: 10 Alejandro caÑizares (esp) Wade ormsby (aus) Daniel brooks (eng)

28. TIME 12:45 ◆ TEE: 1 Jorge campillo (esp) Moritz lampert (ger) Marco crespi (ita)

39. TIME 12:45 ◆ TEE: 10 Ahmed Al mushrrekh (uae) Oliver fisher (eng) Darren fichardt (rsa)

9. TIME 08:40 ◆ TEE: 1 Søren kjeldsen (den) Gary STAL (FRA) David DRYSDALE (SCO)

19. TIME 08:40 ◆ TEE: 10 Brett rumford (aus) Matthew baldwin (eng) Michael hoey (nir)

29. TIME 12:55 ◆ TEE: 1 Mike lorenzo-vera (fra) Michael campbell (nzl) Dawie van der walt (rsa)

40. TIME 12:55 ◆ TEE: 10 Scott jamieson (sco) Graeme storm (eng) Renato paratore (ita)

10. TIME 08:50 ◆ TEE: 1 Byeong-hun an (kor) Paul waring (eng) Jeev Milkha singh (ind)

20. TIME 08:50 ◆ TEE: 10 Simon khan (eng) Edouard espana (fra) Soren hansen (DEN)

30. TIME 13:05 ◆ TEE: 1 Damien mcgrane (irl) Marcus fraser (aus) Oliver farr (wal)

41. TIME 13:05 ◆ TEE: 10 James morrison (eng) Andrew johnston (eng) Jordi garcia pinto (esp)

31. TIME 13:15 ◆ TEE: 1 Raphaël jacquelin (fra) Bradley dredge (wal) Edoardo molinari (ita)

42. TIME 13:15 ◆ TEE: 10 Paul maddy (eng) Romain wattel (fra) Kiradech aphibarnrat (tha)

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s tat s & fa c t s

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expect the unexpected

FAB FOUR TAKE ON ‘OAR-SOME’ MANGROVE CHALLENGE McIlroy, Stenson, Rose and Fowler take on ‘Pitch n’ Paddle’ contest ahead of 10th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

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our of the world’s top 10 squeezed in an unexpected spot of short game practice in a unique ‘pitch n’ paddle’ challenge on Yas Island ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 10year milestone.

Firing biodegradable ‘fish food’ balls from a jetty against a backdrop of mangroves between the ninth and 18th

holes of Yas Links Abu Dhabi, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler paired up to take on Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose.

The session saw the two teams race to be the first to hit two floating targets

attached to kayaks steered by their own caddies.

Stenson and Rose started strong, hitting the first 30 yard target in just three shots while McIlroy and Fowler struggled to get into a good rhythm.

However, panic struck for the dynamic duo – and their caddie – after World No.1 McIlroy evened up the score.

Fowler sealed the deal by introducing his ‘skip shot’ – skimming the ball across the water’s surface to strike the final 60-

yard target and take the title.

“We sort of struggled at the start,” said McIlroy. “Once we finally hit the target at the first yardage then momentum was definitely on our side.”

Fowler added: “We fed a lot of fish, that’s for sure!”

“It’s a bit of a shock to the system to be honest,” joked Rose. “We’re going to have to go away and regroup and hopefully this won’t affect us in the next Ryder Cup.”

To view the video of the unexpected ‘pitch n’ paddle’ challenge, visit this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5j0nXQigyo 13

championship village

10 AMAZING YEARS

LADIES DAY RETURNS WITH FREE ENTRY FOR LADIES ON FRIDAY!

Beyond the world-class action on course, the tournament promises an unforgettable four days as fashion, fun and Championship red fringe the fairways for the 10th anniversary event.

With everything from the HSBC World of Sport to star player Q&A’s in the Championship Village, there will be more chance than ever before to get close to the action! For those looking to soak up the action on course, the 17th green Skybox returns at the heart of the action with the best in food and beverage.

10

Amazing Years

THE QUIZ

answers 1. Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer, Michael Campbell, Darren Clarke, Paul Lawrie, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel and Y E Yang.

2. Martin Kaymer 3. 2006 4. 23 5. Chris DiMarco 6. 12 7. 3 8. 0 9. 15 10. 62, Henrik Stenson

#ADUNEXPECTED

DON’T MISS OUR

This year we want to share in our fans’ experiences of the tournament.

Simply use the tournament hashtag #ADUNEXPECTED with your pictures, videos and updates across social media and they’ll be displayed on the jumbo screen in the Championship Village.

If your posts get featured you’ll also be entered in to a draw to win tournament goodies!

With everything from what it takes to become a Major winner to tales from some of the victorious Team Europe Ryder Cup players, head down to the Championship Village each afternoon to hear from some of the world’s best.

STAR PLAYER Q&A’S

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Thursday 15th January: Round 1 of the Championship 06.45

Gates Open

07.20

Play Starts

11.30

Visit from the HSBC Ambassadors to the HSBC World of Sport in the Championship Village

12.30

True Aussie Lamb and Beef and Weber Grills Masterclass in the Championship Village

Lunchtime* :

Players Q&A in the Championship Village

14.30

Golf Trick Shot show by Jeremy Dale on the Practice Range

16.30

True Aussie Lamb and Beef and WeberGrills Masterclass in the Championship Village

17.45 (approx.) Play Finishes 17.45

Golf Trick Shot show by Jeremy Dale on the Practice Range

* Between 1pm and 3pm. Time subject to change

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The Championship’s much-loved ‘Ladies Day’ returns tomorrow (Friday) when Hello! Middle East fashion scouts will roam the course and Championship Village hunting for 2015’s ‘Best Dressed Lady’. Prizes will be awarded to the three best dressed ladies at 4pm with the ultimate winner bagging an all-inclusive trip-of-a-lifetime for two to San Francisco, courtesy of Championship partners Etihad Airways and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island.

S p e c tat o r i n f o r m at i o n PLAYERS & OFFICIALS ONLY

SECURITY HQ

IMG CHAMPIONSHIP & EUROPEAN TOUR OFFICES

VIP TICKET COLLECTION CAR PARK 1

MEDIA CENTRE

WC

THE WESTIN CLUBHOUSE

KEY

GATE 1 (Receiving Gate)

CHAMPIONSHIP PAVILION

VOLUNTEERS HQ

CONTRACTORS COMPOUND

PUBLIC CAR PARK

CHIPPING GREEN

DRIVING RANGE

WC RESTROOMS

GATE 3

HSBC HOLE

7TH PUBLIC VIEWING GALLERY

WC

CONTRACTORS SITE OFFICE

CHAMPIONSHIP VILLAGE

1

ST. REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND HOLE-IN-ONE HOLE

PUBLIC CATERING THE GALLERY

1

ABU DHABI TOURISM & CULTURE AUTHORITY HOLE

LEADERBOARD

PUTTING GREEN

1

CADILLAC HOLE-IN-ONE HOLE

SCOREBOARD

17TH PUBLIC VIEWING CAR PARKS 2&3

VIP

HSBC WORLD OF SPORT

VIP VIEWING PLATFORM GRANDSTAND FIRST AID

CONTRACTORS COMPOUND

HSBC EXPRESS ATM MACHINE PRAYER TENTS X 2

GATE 3A

GIANT SCREEN STAGE / PRESENTATION

WC

OVERFLOW CAR PARK

TRICK SHOT SHOW

TV COMPOUND

SHUTTLE SERVICE TO PUBLIC CAR PARK

VIP

SHUTTLE SERVICE TO MAIN ENTRANCE

GATE 4

WC

GREEN KEEPERS COMPOUND

GATE 5

Version 5 – 5 December 2014

GATE 6

GATE 7

ALL OTHER VEHICLES

SPECTATORS’ GUIDE This year’s Championship promises to be another spectacular four days’ golf from some of the best players in the world. So you can make the most of your time at the tournament and safely enjoy the experience, we suggest you read the following notes: SAFETY Golf can be a dangerous game – even with the best players in the world the ball does not always go where it is intended! Be aware of your location on the course and pay attention to any instructions given to you by the course Marshals, they are there to ensure the smooth running of the Tournament and to ensure that the players are not distracted by any untoward noise or movement. It is best to stay quiet and still while the players are about to hit the ball – but feel free to clap or cheer at any other time when you are impressed by the standard of play!

PHONES Mobile phones and pagers can be very distracting to a player if a ring-tone goes off in the middle of his backswing or while he is over

a putt. Therefore, please switch ALL PHONES and any similar devices to SILENT while you are on the course.

CAMERAS While cameras may only be used on the golf course by officially accredited photographers you may use your mobile phone camera so long as the flash is not activated.

STAY BEHIND THE ROPES There are rope lines along both sides of most holes. These ropes are put there to ensure that the hole is clearly defined for the players and the TV audience, but importantly they also mark where it is considered safe for spectators to stand to watch the action. It is, therefore, in your own interest to stay behind the ropes and

only cross fairways at the designated crossing points – there’s usually at least one on every hole. If a ball lands on the spectator side of the ropes please do not touch or move the ball. A course Marshal will then move the ropes and instruct you where it will be safe to stand.

AUTOGRAPHS The players will not sign autographs on the course during play, but are quite happy to do so once they have finished their rounds or at designated autograph sessions in the Championship Village.

RESPECT THE PLAYERS You may have a favourite player competing for this year’s title, but we ask that you do not applaud or cheer a mistake made by one of their opponents.

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