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**truebluefan** · 01-09-2008, 11:45 PM

Abu Dhabi Golf Club Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

**truebluefan** · 01-13-2008, 08:25 PM

Abu Dhabi, UAE. 11th January 2008: Golfing prodigy Rory McIlroy – the 18 year old Northern Irishman who shot to global fame with a stellar opening round of 68 in last summer’s Open Championship at Carnoustie – has confirmed that he will make his UAE capital debut at this month’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, running from the 17-20th January at the capital’s National Course.

In addition to crowd-pleaser McIlroy, the elite Abu Dhabi field includes world-class players of the ilk of defending champion, Paul Casey; world number seven Adam Scott; world number eight, Padraig Harrington, and world number 16, Henrik Stenson. Such additional European PGA Tour stalwarts as Miguel Angel Jiminez, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance should guarantee that the third annual Championship will be the best attended to date.

McIlroy’s amazing debut Open round made a mockery of the Scottish course’s ‘Carnasty’ tag. The baby-faced star, who turned pro on September 16th last year, was the only person in the field to complete the first 18 holes without dropping a shot.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-13-2008, 08:25 PM

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Cigar-smoking Miguel Angel Jiménez – one of golf’s most colourful and well-respected personalities – is the latest world-wide star to sign-up for January’s European Tour sanctioned, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which runs from January 17-20 at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course.

In the third edition of the UAE capital’s flagship sporting event, the legendary Spaniard, who in 2008 celebrates twenty years on the European Tour – joins a glittering field which includes defending champion Paul Casey; world number six, Australian pin-up Adam Scott; world number seven, Open Champion Padraig Harrington; Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie; Swedish number one Henrik Stenson; and England’s fashionable duo, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-13-2008, 08:26 PM

Championship, which takes place this month – has upgraded its course and facilities to enhance the playing and spectator experience for 2008’s hotly contested tournament and curtain raiser to the new season.

The club has redesigned its severe dog-leg-left 16th hole on the National Course to create a more challenging line of play for the star studded Championship field, which features many of the world’s top 25 players - including defending champion Paul Casey, fellow English duo, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter, Australia’s Adam Scott and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club has upgraded its course and facilities for 2008

With water hazards bordering the right hand side of the fairway, the treeline aligning the corner of the dog-leg has been replaced with a deep, devilish bunker complex which should restrict long-hitters looking to drive the ‘Tiger Line’ over – or fade round - the par 4’s bend from the tee.

The amendments, which also include changes to the rough to make them more penal, have led to the Par 72 National Championship course being extended to 7,500 yards – the longest its been in the event’s three year history.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-18-2008, 12:07 PM

Martin Kaymer shot a 7-under 65 Friday to extend his lead to six strokes after the second round of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

The 23-year-old German, who was the European Tour's rookie of the year in 2007, shot the best round for the second straight day to total 13-under 131.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who was runner-up in the inaugural event in 2006, was second after a shooting 70.

England's Steve Webster was 7 under through 11 holes before shooting 68 for a share of third place at 138 with Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain (68).

Kaymer was again accurate with his driver, hitting 16 greens in regulation, while he needed only 26 putts to record eight birdies, with one bogey.

"I hit the ball great ... maybe not as good as yesterday, but my putting was very good out there,'' Kaymer said. "I have had better two consecutive rounds, but that was the EPD Tour and it was a totally different golf course. This is a golf course on the European Tour and that makes it a big difference.''

Kaymer had rounds of 59 and 62 in a satellite European Professional Development Tour in Germany just days after turning pro in 2005.

"I am just going to take it hole-by-hole and stick to my game plan,'' Kaymer said. "I am not even thinking of a victory yet. Henrik is obviously a really, really good player and he can easily play 7 or 8 under on this course, like I did today.''

Adam Scott, the highest ranked player in the field at No. 8, overcame a terrible front nine of 41 to come home in 3 under to shoot 74 and be 11 shots off the pace at 2-under 142.

British Open champion Padraig Harrington added a second consecutive 72 and was tied for 42nd.

The cut was at 1 over with defending champion Paul Casey among those to miss it.

**truebluefan** · 01-21-2008, 11:00 AM

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Martin Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by four strokes Sunday despite struggling to a 2-over-par 74.

The 23-year-old German, who led by six going into the final round, had three straight bogeys early in his round. But he still managed to win his first European Tour title with a 15-under-par, 273 total. Henrik Stenson (71) and Lee Westwood (70) were tied for second.

"After I made those three bogeys, I just told myself to remain patient," Kaymer said. "I knew Westwood and Stenson were closing down on me, but they were doing the chasing.

"I knew that it was they who needed to make the birdies, not me."

Richard Finch (68), Ignacio Garrido (69) and Peter Hedblom (70) tied for fourth.