England’s Ian Poulter has confirmed he will contest the fourth annual European Tour sanctioned Abu Dhabi Golf Championship from January 15-18.
Returning to Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course following his tied tenth and tied ninth finishes in 2006 and 2008 respectively, Poulter’s unique style has won him a keen following among the Abu Dhabi galleries who will be backing his third attempt to lift the coveted Falcon Trophy.
It will not be easy for Poulter in 2009, however, as World Number Two Sergio Garcia of Spain, triple Major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland, World Number Eight Henrik Stenson of Sweden, and reigning Masters champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa are all set for a showdown at the National Course.
Poulter, a seven-time European Tour champion, said: “This is certainly the toughest field I’ve seen assembled in the two year’s I’ve played Abu Dhabi.
“This reflects how more top players are looking to go to places like Abu Dhabi at the start of the year to compete in excellent conditions and contest ever-improving fields – it’s the future of the game.
“It’s fair to say I’m confident in my abilities, and I have played some excellent rounds on the National Course before. I’ve shot 67s and 68s so I know it is well suited to my game. I’ve not won in the Middle East, but I’ll be looking to change that come January.”
The Championship organiser, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, has welcomed confirmation of one of the game’s most flamboyant players.
“Ian is one of the sport’s star attractions and his involvement is bound to be a crowd-puller,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Major Events Division Head, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
“He has twice finished inside the top ten here and I’m sure everyone – both spectators and fellow pros – will be keeping a close eye on Ian in January.”
All four days of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship will be covered live on high definition TV, reaching a global audience of more than 140 million in many of Abu Dhabi’s key global tourism markets.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship has a high profile sponsorship line-up which includes: Etihad Airways, Aldar, newcomers Al Naboodah Construction, and Emirates Palaces as Diamond Sponsors; Etisalat and Standard Chartered Bank as Platinum Sponsors; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors and Cutter & Buck as official merchandise supplier.
The 2009 Championship formally begins with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am and Awards Gala on Wednesday January 14, when sponsors and their guests will play alongside some of the world’s best professionals.
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