Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 - On The Tee Round 2

F R I d ay

Look who’s leading!

Martin Kaymer served a timely reminder of his potency on the National course with a scintillating 64, while Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler posted 67s

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By Robbie Greenfield

hree-time champion Martin Kaymer delivered a dose of familiarity to a Championship that has grown accustomed to expecting the unexpected on an action-packed day of low scoring on the National course. The current U.S. Open champion brought back memories of his brilliant victories here with a 64 that featured 10 birdies, including a majestic 260-yard approach into the par 5 18th that set up a final flourish.

Kaymer leads big-hitting Belgian Thomas Pieters by a single stroke, with a clutch of players on six under and World No.1 Rory McIlroy tied together with his

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championship latest news

The Rory and Rickie Show gets off to a cracking start in round one, while young pretenders Pieters and Hatton race into contention

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

friend and Championship debutant, Rickie Fowler, on five under par. On a day of gentle winds and perfect putting surfaces, this world class field made light work of the new-look National course, with both Miguel Angel Jimenez and Tom Lewis firing hole-in-ones and 24 players shooting 68 or better.

But for all the low numbers, there were shocks and surprises too, with World No.2 Henrik Stenson the most notable name to struggle. The Swede carded a four over 76, while his Ryder Cup playing partner and another former runner-up here, Justin Rose, dropped four strokes coming home for a disappointing 73. ..continued on page 2...

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order of play

A full list of tee times and scores for every player in the field in round two. 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

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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

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Continued from Front Page...

Speaking immediately after his superb round, Kaymer revealed the secret of his success: “I putted well. I made 10 birdies, which I don’t think I’ve done in a round before. I hit a lot fairways, my irons were quite sharp and, as I say, I putted really well. There were, I think, three putts in those 10 birdies that were over 15 or 18 feet and that’s very rare. It’s very difficult

Thomas Pieters (-7) to shoot a bad score when you play like this.”

The three-time winner here admitted to being pleasantly surprised at how well he putted. “I didn’t make a putt for three weeks. Nothing. And then you wait the first five, six holes, does it really feel good or is it still a little rusty? But right away I made a few good putts. A good putt on the first started out the season with a birdie, which is a little bonus.

The putting was surprising for me.”

What about Friday? What’s the plan?

“Now the goal is not to compare myself tomorrow to the round that happened

today. Tomorrow will be a new start.”

If putting was the key for Kaymer, second-placed Pieters attributed his great showing to the other end of the bag, driving. “I’ve been driving it a lot better,” revealed the Belgian.

“I think that was the key.” With his tee-shots drawing audible gasps from the gallery, comparison with his hugehitting compatriot, Nicolas Colsaerts, were inevitably made. “I drove it long today,” he said, in what was a massive understatement, “so gave myself a lot of wedges in and converted some putts. It was nice.”

If the leading duo pits the biggest legend that this Championship has ever witnessed against a veritable rookie, there is no shortage of names vying to propel themselves into the reckoning.

Gregory Bourdy, Brandon Grace, Tyrell Hatton, Alexander Levy and Mikko Ilonen form a crowded group on six under par, so expect an ever-changing leaderboard from the moment the first shot is struck today. Will a big gun like Kaymer finally stamp his authority on this event or will the tale of unexpected heroes continue? Today, we’ll move a step closer to finding out.

The Rickie & Rory Show

Budding friends and rivals can’t be separated after both opening with 67s. Who will come out on top today?

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By Clive Agran

hey are practically nextdoor neighbours in Florida, are about the same age and play exhilarating golf with bundles of charisma, so it’s hardly surprising they are often paired and compared. The

Rickie and Rory show has come to town and, judging by the size of the opening round gallery, it looks destined to run and run over the weekend.

The two young stars went head-tohead in the final two majors of 2014 before locking horns again in the Ryder Cup (where McIlroy came out the victor on all three occasions), but let’s establish whether this talk of a rivalry really exists by finding out what the two protagonists have to say.

Let’s give McIlroy, who shot 67, the honour. “He (Fowler) was kicking me on today for sure. I was trying to keep up with him. I didn’t want to let him get too far ahead of me. It looked like he was going to shoot quite a low one and looked like I was in neutral and needed to get something going. I just wanted to try and stay as close to him as possible and thankfully I was able do that.”

What did Fowler, who also shot 67, have to say? “I can’t get rid of him, that’s the hard part. I keep getting paired with him. He’s the best player in the world and so, if I’m hanging around him a little bit, I’m doing the right things.”

The two chatted the whole way round as Fowler made a fast start on his Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship bow and McIlroy compiled a round that sees him well placed to end a sequence of close calls with a long-awaited victory.

But what did they discuss? McIlroy explained: “Our schedules, a little bit about cars... about everything.” Is Fowler enjoying their growing rivalry?

“Definitely, I enjoy it. We have a good time out on the golf course and obviously being able to go back and forth and play against each other, whether it’s in the same group or seeing each other’s name on the board, it’s good fun.”

Is their rivalry destined to last a lifetime? “We got to see quite a bit of that last year and hopefully there’s a lot more to come this year,” remarked Fowler. “It’s going to be a long career battling against each other but I’m sure we’re going to have a good time with it. I think he (McIlroy) has got the edge at the moment what with being the number one player in the world and [winning] two majors last year.”

Q + A : t i a n l a n g g u a n & m at t e o m a n a s s e r o

YOUNG GUNS! Golf in Abu Dhabi ambassador Matteo Manassero is the youngest player to win a European Tour title (he currently has four) and this week he is joined by an even younger prodigy – Guan Tianlang – who made the cut at the Masters aged just 14! On The Tee caught up with the two precocious talents during a spot of night golf on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Garden Course Interview by Robbie Greenfield

e’re here in Abu Dhabi at the start of the new season for an event that gets bigger and better each year. How excited are you to be part of this championship?

Matteo: When you start with such a big event it’s a real test and certainly not easy. Perhaps in an ideal world I would have liked to prepare for this tournament with something quieter first, but being here is great. The TCA Abu Dhabi and HSBC do an amazing job with this event.

The 10th anniversary this year has brought together a great field and it will be a big challenge.

Guan: This is my first time visiting the UAE and I’m loving it so far. It’s a great course and a big tournament for me so just looking forward to the experience. ▶▶▶ Guan, you caught the attention of the world when you made the cut at the

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“GUAN NEEDS TO GO OUT THERE AND JUST ENJOY THIS EXPERIENCE AND SAVOUR IT, BECAUSE IT ONLY COMES AROUND ONCE IN YOUR CAREER.”

Masters aged 14 two years ago. Where are you with your golf now?

Guan: I’ve been playing in China mostly, working on my game and also attending school. This is one of the strongest fields we see all year. I’m just going to do my best and see what happens. ▶▶▶ Matteo, you struggled a bit with your game last year. Are you optimistic about 2015?

Matteo: I’m optimistic that the changes I’ve made to my swing are going to get much more fluent and I’ll grow in confidence on the golf course. What the scores are going to be in 2015, it’s hard to say now, but I’m not doing this work for 2015, I’m doing it for my long term future. This year I just want to be confident with my game and have that ability to go out on the golf course relaxed about my game, which I lost a bit towards the end of last year. When you don’t drive the ball well it’s difficult to get started in

a round. You’re always recovering, and never on the front foot. I would like to find the Matteo of 2011 and 2012 who had no problems and was going out on the golf course free of any thoughts and just playing golf. Those swing changes are to go in that direction more than anything else, and if I happen to get there in 2015, it will be a goal achieved. ▶▶▶ What advice would you offer Guan about a career on tour?

Matteo: I think he’s said all the right things so far. This week for him, as it was for me the first time in 2009, is about enjoying the week and learning from the guys he’s going to be paired with, the guys he will see on the range.

It’s a fantastic field, so it’s also an opportunity for him to watch and learn what happens, but mainly just to enjoy the moment. He knows exactly how to perform. Having this opportunity is something that only comes once, and

then once he plays as a professional it will be a whole different story then and he’ll see it in a different way. ▶▶▶ Both of you guys have set records as being the youngest players to achieve incredible feats, Guan making the cut at the Masters and Matteo already with four European Tour titles. How do you manage your development and make sure you progress at an even level?

Guan: Well, to play with Matteo at the Masters was a great experience and we had a lot of fun out there, but I wasn’t too worried about the age of when I’m going to do this or do that. I’m more focused on improving my game and if I do the right things, hopefully my work will pay off.

It’s the 10th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship this week. Matteo, if you were sat here in 10 years time, what would you like to have achieved?

Matteo: Obviously my dreams are to win majors and play Ryder Cups. It’s very easy to say that, so what I’ll actually achieve, we’ll have to wait and see. Right now it’s a dream and I’m working for it.

Ten years is a long time.

When you reflect on what you’ve already achieved in the game at 21, is it something that you draw on when you’re going through a tough spell like last year?

Matteo: I’m not the kind of guy who, when he’s going through a rough time, can think about the past and feel better.

Last year, people were telling me it’s ok, you’ve won four times on tour, you’ve done great for your age, but I was still upset about the present time. I’m only

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stat attack Competitors this week, who have European Tour victories to their name.

focused on that. I’m not dwelling on what has been done, I’m trying to figure out how I can become a better player and do better things in life. What I have achieved has been way over my expectations, but it doesn’t comfort me if I’m doing something wrong. ▶▶▶ Guan, you put in an incredible performance to make the cut at the Masters. What did you learn that week that may help you this time round?

Guan: It was the first time I’d played competitively with the best in the world.

I got to see how they play and practice.

At Augusta, it’s not just about golf it’s a whole experience. That made me comfortable to play with the top guys in the world. I can learn from that and just enjoy it. This year I’ll play a few amateur and professional events. ▶▶▶ Having played all the three championship courses out here Matteo, how would you compare them?

Matteo: They are all so different. They cover the full range of styles that you find throughout the world. You have a proper links on Yas, a real parkland course here at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and then Saadiyat Beach, which is probably somewhere between the two. A desert golf course by the sea with big dunes and amazing scenery. It’s very personal and hard to tell which one is my favourite.

When the Championship comes to town, this golf course is probably the most fascinating of the three. But usually when I come to have a week of practicing, I usually go to Saadiyat, because of the beach there and the fact it’s an amazing golf course. ▶▶▶ What’s the key to success on the National course?

Matteo: It’s driving and putting. If you find a lot of fairways it will lead to plenty of birdie chances. The greens are always amazing so if you roll the ball well you can make a lot of putts. The course lets you play, but if you’re off with the driver, it’s not easy to hit greens from the rough, so it’s vital to get that part right.

Guan: It’s a very strong golf course, and it’s long, too. I love the greens here. As Matteo said, driving on the fairway is very important and putting is always the most important part of the game.

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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.

• Pablo Larrazábal (-1) • Justin Rose (+1) • Martin Kaymer (-8)

Game 14 07:40am 10th tee

Even though it's only Friday, quite a few of the experts are wondering if anyone can stop magnificent Martin Kaymer running away with his fourth Falcon Trophy. Yesterday he was at his imperious best and posted a stunning eight under par 64 to sit atop the leaderboard. Another round like that today could leave the rest of a high quality field struggling in his wake. Pablo Larrazábal has some work to do after an opening 71 to retain any chance of successfully defending his title, whereas Ryder Cup hero and former U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose will have to battle hard to avoid the dreaded cut.

• Mikko Ilonen (-6) • George Coetzee (-4) • Y. E. Yang (-2)

Game 16 08:00am 10th tee

Two birdies on the final two holes enabled Mikko Ilonen to post an outstanding 66, just two shots off the lead. The Finn came home in a remarkable 32, which was only bettered by Martin Kaymer and Brandon Grace. A bogey at 17 was the only blemish on an otherwise flawless round from George Coetzee, who is handily placed on four under par. Y. E. Yang let a great round slip towards the end and fell back from four under to finish just two better than par.

• Rory McIlroy (-5) • Matteo Manassero (E) • Rickie Fowler (-5)

Game 25 12:05pm 1st tee

They chatted the whole way round, fed off one another and finished the day locked together on a threatening five under. The ever-popular ‘Rory and Ricky Show’ resumes on the first tee shortly after high noon. More explosive golf is guaranteed. Matteo Manassero has a fair bit of ground to make up on his playing partners after a disappointing level par round of 72, but the young Italian maestro is certainly capable of closing the gap.

• Danny Willett (-2) • Brandon Grace (-6) • Thorbjørn Olesen (E)

Game 26 12:15pm 1st tee

Two of the three players in this group have already tasted success this season. Danny Willett won the Nedbank Golf Challenge and is well in the hunt after opening up with a two under par 70. The other winner is Brandon Grace who triumphed at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in his native South Africa. Yesterday he had five birdies in a purple six-hole stretch and finished on six under, just two adrift of Martin Kaymer. Thorbjørn Olesen finished tied runner-up a couple of years ago, clearly loves the course but will have to step on the gas after a level-par opening round.

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o r d e r o f p l ay

Order of Play friday

[ 16 january 2015 ]

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

1. TIME 07:20 ◆ TEE: 1 Steve webster (eng) Fabrizio zanotti (par) Dominic foos (ger)

+1 +4 -1

12. TIME 07:20 ◆ TEE: 10 Garth mulroy (rsa) Richard bland (eng) Matthew fitzpatrick (eng)

+1 -3 -1

23. TIME 11:45 ◆ TEE: 1 Anthony wall (eng) Mark tullo (chL) Thomas aiken (rsa)

-2 +1 -2

33. TIME 11:45 ◆ TEE: 10 Callum shinkwin (eng) Lee slattery (eng) Shiv kapur (ind)

+5 -2 +4

2. TIME 07:30 ◆ TEE: 1 Alex noren (swe) Jin jeong (kor) Niclas fasth (swe)

-5 +8 -3

13. TIME 07:30 ◆ TEE: 10 Victor dubuisson (fra) -3 Charl scHwartzel (rsa) -1 Miguel Ángel jimÉnez (esp) E

24. TIME 11:55 ◆ TEE: 1 Henrik stenson (swe) Ernie els (rsa) Jamie donaldson (wal)

+4 -2 +1

34. TIME 11:55 ◆ TEE: 10 Grégory havret (fra) Thomas pieters (bel) David horsey (eng)

-1 -7 -1

3. TIME 07:40 ◆ TEE: 1 Kristoffer broberg (swe) -3 Eddie pepperell (eng) -2 Ollie schniederjans (AM) (usa) +4

14. TIME 07:40 ◆ TEE: 10 Pablo larrazÁbal (ESP) Justin rose (eng) Martin kaymer (ger)

-1 +1 -8

25. TIME 12:05 ◆ TEE: 1 Rory McIlroy (nir) -5 Matteo manassero (ita) E Rickie fowler (usa) -5

35. TIME 12:05 ◆ TEE: 10 Alessandro tadini (ita) Anders hansen (den) Chris doak (sco)

+4 -4 +4

4. TIME 07:50 ◆ TEE: 1 Emiliano grillo (arg) Tyrrell hatton (eng) Felipe aguilar (chi)

-2 -6 +4

15. TIME 07:50 ◆ TEE: 10 Andy sullivan (eng) Alexander levy (fra) Tommy fleetwood (eng)

-1 -6 +2

26. TIME 12:15 ◆ TEE: 1 Danny willett (eng) -2 Thorbjørn olesen (den) E Branden grace (rsa) -6

36. TIME 12:15 ◆ TEE: 10 Magnus A carlsson (swe) Tom lewis (eng) Jbe kruger (rsa

+3 -3 +2

5. TIME 08:00 ◆ TEE: 1 Morten Ørum madsen (den) Simon dyson (eng) Johan carlsson (swe)

-4 +1 -2

16. TIME 08:00 ◆ TEE: 10 Mikko ilonen (fin) George coetzee (rsa) Y. E. yang (kor)

-6 -4 -2

27. TIME 12:25 ◆ TEE: 1 Chris dimarco (usa) Robert rock (eng) Ross fisher (eng)

37. TIME 12:25 ◆ TEE: 10 Sam hutsby (eng) Lucas bjerregaard (den) GUAN (AM) Tian-lang (chn)

+1 +2 -2

6. TIME 08:10 ◆ TEE: 1 Richard finch (eng) Jason palmer (eng) Mark foster (eng)

+3 -1 +2

17. TIME 08:10 ◆ TEE: 10 Darren clarke (nir) E Robert karlsson (swe) -5 Paul lawrie (sco) -4

28. TIME 12:35 ◆ TEE: 1 Oliver wilson (eng) -1 David lipsky (usa) E Marc Warren (sco) -3

38. TIME 12:35 ◆ TEE: 10 David howell (eng) E Grégory bourdy (fra) -6 Richie ramsay (sco) +2

7. TIME 08:20 ◆ TEE: 1 Richard green (aus) Maximilian kieffer (ger) Seve benson (eng)

-4 -2 -3

18. TIME 08:20 ◆ TEE: 10 Scott hend (aus) -2 Bernd wiesberger (aut) E Rafa cabrera-bello (esp) -2

29. TIME 12:45 ◆ TEE: 1 Nicolas colsaerts (bel) -4 Anirban lahiri (ind) E Alvaro quiros (esp) -3

39. TIME 12:45 ◆ TEE: 10 Richard sterne (rsa) Peter uihlein (usa) Craig lee (sco)

-1 -5 +1

8. TIME 08:30 ◆ TEE: 1 Ahmed Al mushrrekh (uae) Oliver fisher (eng) Darren fichardt (rsa)

+6 -3 -3

19. TIME 08:30 ◆ TEE: 10 Jorge campillo (esp) E Moritz lampert (ger) E Marco crespi (ita) E

30. TIME 12:55 ◆ TEE: 1 Alejandro caÑizares (esp) Wade ormsby (aus) Daniel brooks (eng)

-3 +3 +4

40. TIME 12:55 ◆ TEE: 10 Benjamin hebert (fra) Julien quesne (fra) Matthew nixon (eng)

+4 +2 -4

9. TIME 08:40 ◆ TEE: 1 Scott jamieson (sco) Graeme storm (eng) Renato paratore (ita)

-2 +2 -2

20. TIME 08:40 ◆ TEE: 10 Mike lorenzo-vera (fra) -3 Michael campbell (nzl) RTD Dawie van der walt (rsa) -2

31. TIME 13:05 ◆ TEE: 1 Brett rumford (aus) Matthew baldwin (eng) Michael hoey (nir)

+1 +1 -3

41. TIME 13:05 ◆ TEE: 10 Søren kjeldsen (den) Gary STAL (FRA) David DRYSDALE (SCO)

+2 -4 -2

10. TIME 08:50 ◆ TEE: 1 James morrison (eng) Andrew johnston (eng) Jordi garcia pinto (esp)

-4 +1 -2

21. TIME 08:50 ◆ TEE: 10 Damien mcgrane (irl) -1 Marcus fraser (aus) E Oliver farr (wal) +1

32. TIME 13:15 ◆ TEE: 1 Simon khan (eng) Edouard espana (fra) Soren hansen (DEN)

+1 +1 -3

42. TIME 13:15 ◆ TEE: 10 Byeong-hun an (kor) Paul waring (eng) Jeev Milkha singh (ind)

-5 -4 -4

11. TIME 09:00 ◆ TEE: 1 Paul maddy (eng) E Romain wattel (fra) +1 Kiradech aphibarnrat (tha) E

22. TIME 09:00 ◆ TEE: 10 Raphaël jacquelin (fra) -3 Bradley dredge (wal) E Edoardo molinari (ita) E

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news & quiz

stat match Compiled by Quizmaster Clive Agran

How well do you know your golf?

Assign one fact to each of these 10 stars and turn to page 14 for the answers

1. He was the first player to win the Fed Ex Cup and the Race to Dubai in the same season.

2. Finished fourth at the 1998 Open when still an amateur.

3. Hit a 9-iron to inches at the 15th hole at Gleneagles to beat Keegan Bradley and secure the winning point for Europe in the 2014 Ryder Cup.

pablo larrazÁbal

jamie donaldson

4. Jumped into a lake at the Maybank Malaysian Open mid-round to escape a swarm of hornets. matteo manassero

5. Became the youngest winner on the European Tour when capturing the 2010 Castello Masters aged 17 years and 188 days.

rickie fowler

6. Holed a six-foot putt on the last green to beat Steve Stricker and secure the win for Europe at the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.

henrik stenson

justin rose

7. Won his European Tour card in 2003 without going to Qualifying School when he finished 116th on the money list from just seven starts.

8. Only the third man in the modern era (Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the other two) to win three majors by the age of 25.

chris dimarco

martin kaymer

9. Won the inaugural Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in 2006.

10. Made the top five in all four majors in 2014.

robert rock

rory mcilroy

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12

Tom Lewis and Miguel Ángel Jiménez both pull off golf’s ultimate shot on a day of low scoring

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o matter how he plays for the rest of the week, Tom Lewis will go home happy having won a Cadillac Escalade for a hole-in-one on the seventh in the opening round. Remarkably, it was the only score on his front nine that wasn’t a par. “I had about 194 [yards] slightly helping off the right,” said the Englishman, who shot a three-under 69. “As soon as I hit it, I knew it was good and had a chance. I was just waiting for my dad’s reaction because you can’t see the cup from the tee. He just turned around and clapped!”

On a day of low scoring, Lewis wasn’t the only player to feel the rush off a perfect shot. Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez slipped to three over through his first 10 holes, but put together a remarkable run that was capped with an ace on the 15th to get back to two under. It was the veteran’s eighth hole-in-one, putting him second on the all-time list behind Colin Montgomerie. Up until yesterday we had seen nine hole-in-ones in the history of the Championship, an average of one per year. At this rate there may even be one or two more to come this week!

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FAN FARE

@screamingabdhab

It’s you, the spectators, who help make this championship such a great event.

Here’s what yesterday’s fans made of it all

Ann Cullen

Finn O’Gara I’m originally from Donegal in Ireland, then moved to Yorkshire in England and am now living out here.

Yes, I play golf and have monthly lessons at Saadiyat Beach GC, which is a really nice course. This is the first time I’ve been to the golf here.

Actually I’m a volunteer and have been working at the scoreboard on the fifth hole. Rory McIlroy’s my favourite and I saw him at the fifth but, no, he didn’t look up at either me, or the scoreboard.

@arabiangolftv

Geert Beelen I’m from Belgium and have been following Nicolas Colsaerts. He’s playing rather well and, despite a double bogey, is doing nicely. Yes, I play golf and have a handicap of five but, although I practice three times a week, I haven’t played a proper round for a year. Watching these guys might inspire me to do just that. Who’s going to win? Why, Colsaerts of course.

Yes, I play golf but only rather badly these days. When you get old everything goes downhill. I’m from Northern Ireland and am here on holiday primarily to watch the golf.

My husband and I first came here five years ago, really enjoyed this tournament and have been wanting to come back ever since. It’s not too crowded, the top players are here and the weather’s wonderful.

Dubuisson is my favourite. I first spotted him at the Ryder Cup and think he’s lovely.

Joan Anderson I’m from Antrim in Northern Ireland.

My husband’s a golfer but I hardly play and much prefer to watch. I’ve been to a few big tournaments, including the Irish Open at Royal Portrush last year but the weather’s better here and it’s much easier to follow the action. I’m here for a week and am hoping Rory McIlroy will win. He signed my hat and, no, I won’t be selling it on eBay.

Derek Humber I’m from Stratford-on-Avon in England. I’m a semi-retired architect and am here on holiday with my wife, who is working.

And so while she’s busy selling software, I’m very much enjoying the golf. It’s great to watch it in such a wonderful place. In the same way that I don’t support any particular football team, I’m afraid I don’t really have a favourite player but I think Rory McIlroy will win.

still time to win a spot partnering a European Tour Pro in an incredible Pro-Am Complete our READER SURVEY and this dream prize could be yours.

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

championship village

STARS DESCEND ON

CHAMPIONSHIP VILLAGE Fans thrilled by special guest appearances from sporting legends and past champions on day one of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

T

he stars were out in force at yesterday’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 10th anniversary event opener, with fans enjoying Q&A sessions and even an unexpected spot of tennis with a host of sporting legends and past champions.

The action teed off when British tennis legend Tim Henman struck up a spontaneous match with former Australian rugby captain George Gregan on the mini Wimbledon court.

After their warm-up, the duo joined rugby royalty Gavin Hastings and Brian O’Driscoll – who picked up the longest drive prize in yesterday’s Pro Am – for a Q&A in the centre of the Championship Village.

The fun continued with past champions Jamie Donaldson (2013), Robert Rock (2012) and Chris DiMarco (2006) treating fans to an afternoon Q&A to discuss all things golf and Abu Dhabi. The three Abu Dhabi title-holders

spoke of their love and respect for The National course.

“The course is a lot tougher than when I won in 2006,” said DiMarco. “It really has become a championship course that is great for the game of golf!”

2014 Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson admitted that his Abu Dhabi victory contributed to his famous performance at Gleneagles.

“My success in Abu Dhabi helped,” said Donaldson. “To win here, on what is definitely one of the tougher courses on the worldwide schedule, was a nice stepping stone to things like the Ryder Cup.” This year’s Championship Village promises an abundance of activities and events set to be better than ever before in celebration of the Championship’s milestone event. Today’s Ladies Day, with free entry for all female fans, will offer a trip of a lifetime to San Francisco courtesy of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island and Etihad Airways for the best dressed lady, while the popular ‘Splash of Red’ Day, similarly offering free entry for those wearing any item of red clothing, returns tomorrow.

The HSBC World of Sport offers addictive challenges for all the family and the HSBC ambassadors and sporting legends will be making more surprise visits throughout the weekend, armed with tips and tricks for the UAE’s budding young sports stars.

Go Red Tomorrow for

Free Entry!

Don’t forget, all those wearing a splash of red for tomorrow’s third round are welcomed in free of charge!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS #ADunexpected Friday 16th January: Round 2 of the Championship 06.45 - 7.20

Gates Open then 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

15.45

Q&A with Melissa Reid and Carly Booth in Championship Village

16.00

Ladies Day Best Dressed Grand Finale and Prize Giving on the main stage

16.30

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

17.45

Play Finishes & Golf Trick Shot show by Jeremy Dale on the Practice Range

* Between 1pm and 3pm. Time subject to change what's on strip ad_PRINT.pdf

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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!

stat match answers

1. Henrik Stenson 2. Justin Rose 3. Jamie Donaldson 4. Pablo Larrazábal 5. Matteo Manassero

6. Martin Kaymer 7. Robert Rock 8. Rory McIlroy 9. Chris DiMarco 10. Rickie Fowler

5:20 PM

WHAT’S ON ABU DHABI MADE IN ABU DHABI 100% FOR ABU DHABI WhatsOn.ae 14

WhatsOnAbuDhabi

WhatsOnAbuDhabi

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

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THE WESTIN CLUBHOUSE

KEY

GATE 1 (Receiving Gate)

CHAMPIONSHIP PAVILION

VOLUNTEERS HQ

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7TH PUBLIC VIEWING GALLERY

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CHAMPIONSHIP VILLAGE

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ST. REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND HOLE-IN-ONE HOLE

PUBLIC CATERING THE GALLERY

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ABU DHABI TOURISM & CULTURE AUTHORITY HOLE

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CADILLAC HOLE-IN-ONE HOLE

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HSBC WORLD OF SPORT

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HSBC EXPRESS ATM MACHINE PRAYER TENTS X 2

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GIANT SCREEN STAGE / PRESENTATION

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TRICK SHOT SHOW

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Version 5 – 5 December 2014

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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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