Reigning US Open champion Dustin Johnson will make his Middle East debut in January after he was confirmed on Tuesday for the 2017 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The American, the current world No 3, joins another star-studded field that includes four of the top ten players in the global rankings, with Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and defending champion Rickie Fowler having also been secured for the January 19-22 event. Danny Willett, the reigning Masters champion and world No 11, will vie for the Falcon Trophy, too, meaning three of this season’s four major winners are to tee it up in the capital.
“I’m really looking forward to it and pleased to have the opportunity to play in Abu Dhabi,” Johnson said. “I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard really good things about the golf course from Rickie and Rory, who tell me I’m definitely going to like it, and about Abu Dhabi itself, so I’m really excited about going.”
Long considered one of the most talented players in golf, Johnson has enjoyed a career year in 2016, winning his first major title and then twice more, at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW Championship. His victory at Oakmont Country Club was the standout, though, as Johnson sealed a three-shot triumph to end years of heartache in the game’s majors. In September, he was voted the PGA Tour player of the year.
Johnson’s participation in Abu Dhabi provides the tournament with sustained star power. In its 12th iteration, it has become one of the most popular events on the European Tour and kicks off the three-legged Desert Swing, which comprises Abu Dhabi, the Qatar Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Johnson will be joined at the event by McIlroy, the world No 2 and four-time major champion, world No 4 and reigning British Open champion Stenson, and world No 10 Rickie Fowler, who registered a one-stroke win at the National Course earlier this year.
“Abu Dhabi was a high point for my 2016 season along with competing in the Olympic Games and being on the winning 2016 USA Ryder Cup Team,” Fowler said. “Coming out on top against the strongest field on the European Tour was as good a start as anyone could aspire to. I’m excited to go back having been there the last two years and now there’s a good reason, being defending champion.”
Stenson, meanwhile, has contested every Abu Dhabi event since its inception in 2006 and holds the course record, at 62. He has won three of the other Middle East events – next week he attempts to clinch a third DP World Tour Championship in Dubai – and needs only the Falcon Trophy to complete the set.
“I’ve been second twice in Abu Dhabi so that would be a nice one to add to the collection,” said the Olympic silver medallist, who finished joint-third in the capital this year. “It’s great to see the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship grow so much over the years and HSBC is putting a lot of effort and commitment into golf by hosting one of the top events on the European Tour.
“It’s a great way for me to start my season – good weather, good practice, good courses, good food, good hotel and we get well looked after.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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