The rising American golfer Anthony Kim is set to make his regional debut at this month's fifth Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. World No 25 Kim's UAE debut comes only two months after he gave up the chance to contest the European Tour's season-ending Dubai World Championship so he could ready himself for a stronger tilt on the US PGA this term. But with the 24-year-old Kim registering on both tours again this year, he has decided to tee off his season in the Emirates.
"I've not had the chance to play in the Middle East yet, so this will be an interesting experience," said Kim. "I have heard a lot of good things about Abu Dhabi, and it seemed like the right place to start my year." Having made his professional debut in 2006, Kim's precocious talent first received global attention with several starring displays for the US team who wrestled the Ryder Cup back from Europe at Valhalla in 2008.
That same year, Kim won the Wachovia Championship and AT&T International to become the first player under the age of 25 since Tiger Woods to win two PGA tournaments in the same season. And with golf's world No 1 taking an extended personal leave from the game, Kim is viewed as one of prime contenders to win Major honours in coming months. Tellingly, Kim's hunt for a maiden European win in Abu Dhabi will see him square off against most of his Major rivals, including two-time National Course winner and defending champion Paul Casey, Swedish world No 7 Henrik Stenson, as well as Race to Dubai winner, Lee Westwood, and runner-up Rory McIllroy.
"I want to start winning tournaments regularly; that for me is priority No 1," said Kim. "I've been working hard on my fitness and technique and I'm already seeing major gains." With this year's staging the last before the championship switches to Gary Player's Saadiyat Beach Golf Course in 2011, organisers Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said Kim's decision to participate illustrates how coveted the falcon-shaped trophy has become. "With Anthony signed up, we now have three of the world's top 25 players, all of whom have come across from the US PGA Tour," said Faisal Al Sheikh, ADTA's major events division head. @Email:emegson@thenational.ae