One of golf's most exciting young figures will add his flair to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship field, organisers of the January tournament announced on Wednesday.
American Rickie Fowler, the world No 10, arrives in Abu Dhabi for the first time coming off a 2014 season that saw some of his best play yet.
The 25-year-old finished tied for second at both the US and British Opens in June and July, finished tied for thid at the US PGA Championship in August, and tied for fifth at April’s Masters, making him just the third player – with Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus – to finish top-5 at all four Majors in a year.
He also ran off a string of top-10 finishes at other big tournaments, the most recent his tie for sixth at last weekend’s star-studded Hero World Challenge and a tie for third at “Asia’s Major” last month in the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
“Beginning my season in Abu Dhabi will be a fresh approach for me. I’m really very excited by it and the possibilities it might bring,” Fowler said in a press release.
Fowler will also get a chance to continue his friendly rivalry with Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi, which has seen the contemporaries face off a number of times as they’ve risen through the golf ranks and include Fowler’s two professional victories – the 2011 Korean Open and 2012 Wells Fargo Championship – ahead of McIlroy finishing runner-up.
Meanwhile, McIlroy has risen to No 1 in the world and got the better of Fowler in their 2014 Ryder Cup singles match.
“We’re great friends,” he said, “but we love competing and giving everything when we’re up against each other.
“No matter where we are in the world, nothing is left on the course when we’re together.”
Fowler adds his name to a field that already includes McIlroy and European stars Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, as well as local favourite Matteo Manassero.
The tournament runs January 15-18 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
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