Phil Mickelson, the four-time major champion, said he hopes to increase the global appeal of the game after confirming his participation in next year's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The American left-hander, ranked No 4 in the world, will play in the Middle East for the first time when he lines up in the field for the four-day tournament at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January.
Already a winner in the Far East - his HSBC Champions victory in 2009 was one of seven European Tour wins - Mickelson, 40, is now targeting the Middle East and the US$2.7 million (Dh9.1m) tournament in the capital.
"I've wanted to go to the UAE for a while, and this is the perfect time," Mickelson told The Associated Press. "It should give me great weather to work on my game, and it gives me a chance to get to the UAE. The whole family is going, and they're pretty excited about it.
"I feel like there's an obligation as a player to try to bring the game to different parts of the world. The UAE, especially Abu Dhabi, and China seem to be our greatest growth opportunities."
The tournament, won last year by Martin Kaymer, will pit Mickelson, the US Masters winner, against this year's other three major winners - Graeme McDowell, the US Open champion, Louis Oosthuizen, the runaway winner of the British Open, and Kaymer, who made his big breakthrough at the US PGA Championship.
Lee Westwood,the world No 1, Paul Casey and Rory McIlroy will also be in action.
Mickelson, however, is a significant catch for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) who are now backed by a new sponsorship agreement with HSBC.
The link-up on a five-year contract enabled the event organisers to add a further $500,000 to the prize fund and overtake their Desert Swing rivals in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain by offering the highest purse of the four events.
"We have consistently targeted and attracted players of the highest calibre because we want our galleries to be exposed to the best the world has to offer," Faisal al Sheikh, the events manager of ADTA, said.
"Players of Phil's stature reserve their diaries for only the most prestigious tournaments, so his choice of Abu Dhabi for his regional debut is testament to the championship's growing maturity.
"This year sees our most impressive field yet to go alongside an exceptional prize fund. Golf fans attending the championship and those watching around the world will see a feast of the finest golf."
Despite Chris DiMarco's victory in the inaugural championship in 2005, the European Tour tournament has not been well-attended by American tour players.
"The Arabian Gulf is now established as an important part of worldwide golf and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is a centrepiece of the sport in the region," Mickelson said in a news release yesterday. "I understand the course and hospitality are among the best anywhere so I'm really looking forward to my first trip out there."
* With agencies
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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