Ogilvy eyes a little help from Casey

He is hoping to use his US PGA Tour friendship with the defending champion to prepare better for his debut in next week's Abu Dhabi Championship.

Geoff Ogilvy is hoping to use his US PGA Tour friendship with England's Paul Casey to make himself better prepared for a successful debut in next week's Abu Dhabi Championship. Ogilvy, who has climbed into the world's top 10 on the strength of his impressive victory at the Kapalua resort in Hawaii last Sunday, believes there is nobody better equipped than two-time Abu Dhabi champion Casey to provide local knowledge of the National course.

Pleased to see Casey firing on all cylinders again after a recurring rib injury cut short his 2009 campaign, Ogilvy said: "Maybe I'll try and sort out a practice round with Paul and try a pick up a tip or two on how to play the course. He obviously knows his way around pretty well." Ogilvy, who finished joint-fourth with Padraig Harrington in November's Dubai World Championship at the Earth course, is excited to sample golf in the UAE capital for the first time.

"Winning in Hawaii was the very best way to start the year and I will be hoping to keep the run going in Abu Dhabi," he said. "I am really looking forward to my first visit as I've heard such great things about the tournament from the guys on tour. I can't wait to get there. "I don't feel I'll be at a disadvantage not having played there before as I'll have the momentum from my Hawaii victory. Ogilvy's appearance helps make the fifth staging of the European Tour event in the capital the strongest in its history.

As well as the defending champion Casey and former US Open champion Ogilvy, the line-up for the four-day event, which begins next Thursday, includes Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer. Camio Villegas and Anthony Kim. @Email:[e-mail]