Abu Dhabi Golf Championship: Henrik Stenson to make 2014 bow in tournament

 

 

Henrik Stenson's first tournament of 2014 will be the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which starts on January 16.

 

The world No 3 has a great record in the United Arab Emirates having won the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai last month as well as the 2006 Qatar Masters and the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic.

 

"2013 finished on a high in the UAE and it would be great if 2014 started on a high in the UAE," said the Swede.

 

"The country was a fantastic home for us for eight years and I've always enjoyed playing here."

 

Stenson finished as the runner-up in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in 2006 - one shot behind Chris DiMarco - and tied for second alongside Lee Westwood in 2008, albeit four shots behind the winner Martin Kaymer.

Tougher

"There's a falcon-sized gap in my trophy cabinet that I'd dearly love to fill," Stenson added.

"Not just because of the 2006 and 2008 near-misses but so I can become the first player to complete the sweep of Gulf titles.

 

"The National course gets a bit tougher each year and the Championship has become one of the most coveted on the Tour, so it would be great to tee off the season in style here."

 

The Abu Dhabi field is also set to include Open champion Phil Mickelson, US Open champion Justin Rose, two-time major winner Rory McIlroy, former world No 1 Luke Donald, Kaymer, Matteo Manassero, Sergio Garcia, and Jamie Donaldson.