Spieth-McIlroy first look: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship guide

Rory McIlroy, in action at the 2014 tournament, will compete for the Falcon trophy at the 2015 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, John McAuley provides the lowdown on the European Tour event. Note: More information will be added as it is released.

EVENT:

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, January 21-24, Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

WHAT IS IT:

The sixth tournament on the 2016 European Tour season, but widely accepted as the first main strokeplay event on the circuit’s calendar. It marks the beginning of the three-legged Desert Swing, with the Qatar Masters and the Dubai Desert Classic played in the succeeding two weeks. Has the biggest purse of the Middle East trio, at $2.7 million (Dh9.9m).

The sporting read: Abu Dhabi and the education of Martin Kaymer

WHO’S PLAYING:

Another star-studded line-up this year, with four of the world’s current top six players in attendance. Jordan Spieth, who sits at the rankings’ summit, makes his Middle East debut. The American was the standout golfer in 2015, winning the season’s first two majors, three other events and the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup. Alongside Spieth, Rory McIlroy (world No 3), Henrik Stenson (world No 5) and Rickie Fowler (world No 6) will compete at the National Course. So, too, Martin Kaymer, a three-time winner of the Falcon Trophy.

The golf world’s attention will be fixated on Abu Dhabi with our first glimpse of the Spieth-McIlroy duel in 2016.

PAST CHAMPIONS:

As mentioned, Kaymer has enjoyed the most success in the capital, securing his first professional victory there in 2008, before triumphing again in 2010 and 2011. Paul Casey has won the event twice — 2007 and 2009 — while Chris DiMarco, Robert Rock, Jamie Donaldson, Pablo Larrazabal and Gary Stal have one win each. Last year, Stal overturned a 10-shot deficit on Sunday to trump closest challengers McIlroy and Kaymer.

TICKET INFO:

Free entry on Monday and Tuesday (practice days) and the Pro-Am on Wednesday. Daily tickets available for the four days of action (Thursday to Sunday), with season tickets also on sale. Hospitality packages available, too. For more information, go to www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com/tickets-packages.​

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