McIlroy and Fleetwood eye Hatton's title as players pose at Yas Links - in pictures

Defending Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner flanked by a host of the world's top players all eyeing Falcon Trophy

Defending Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton of England is flanked by Tommy Fleetwood of England, left, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland. Getty Images

Rory McIlroy inspects the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship trophy, held by last year's winner Tyrrell Hatton. Getty Images

Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA and Adam Scott of Australia pose for a photo prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on January 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Viktor Hovland of Norway. Getty Images

Shane Lowry of Ireland looks on as he poses for a photo. Getty Images

From left: Shane Lowry of Ireland, Viktor Hovland of Norway, Tommy Fleetwood of England, Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA, Adam Scott of Australia and Lee Westwood of England pose for a photo during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 18: A general view of the driving range as Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal plays a shot during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course on January 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington / Getty Images)

A view of the 18th green at Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

Tommy Fleetwood of England is interviewed by Iain Carter, BBC golf correspondent. Getty Images

Collin Morikawa of the USA talks to the media during a virtual press conference. Getty Images

General View of the 18th green at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images

Connor Syme of Scotland plays a chip shot onto the third green. Getty Images

From left: Viktor Hovland of Norway, Shane Lowry of Ireland, Tommy Fleetwood of England, Tyrrell Hatton of England, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Collin Morikawa of the USA, Adam Scott of Australia and Lee Westwood of England pose for a photo. Getty Images

Joachim B. Hansen of Denmark plays a bunker shot on the third hole during a practice round prior to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images

Joost Luiten of the Netherlands putts on the 16th green. Getty Images

James Morrison of England plays a shot on the seventh hole. Getty Images

Maximilian Kiefer of Germany plays a shot on the seventh hole. Getty Images

Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain plays a bunker shot onto the second green during a practice round at Yas Links Golf Course. Getty Images

Daniel van Tonder of South Africa putts on the eighth green. Getty Images

A general view of the 18th green. Getty Images

Tyrrell Hatton may have felt all eyes were on him as the world's best players posed alongside the defending Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner on Tuesday.

The Englishman was flanked by two-time winner Tommy Fleetwood on one side and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy as well as the likes of world No 2 Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott, Shane Lowry and Less Westwood as they posed for photos at Yas Links.

McIlroy, a runner-up on four occasions at the tournament's previous home at Abu Dhabi Golf Club's National Course, gave the Falcon Trophy a close inspection as the players took their places posing ahead of a practice round.

Fleetwood, the 2017 and 2018 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner, also gave the trophy more than a cursory glance.

Hatton will be looking for a repeat of last year's victory when he eased home by four strokes ahead of Jason Scrivener.

The Rolex Series event tees off on Thursday.