Four-time major winner Ernie Els is heading back to the UAE capital for his second shot at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
– #Quiz360: WIN dinner for 2 at Channels, Media Rotana
With a win in the 2005 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and a hat-trick of Omega Dubai Desert Classic titles – in 1994, 2002 and 2005 – under his belt, ‘The Big Easy’ says he ready to complete the ‘Gulf Swing’ with victory at the January 15-18 event on the challenging National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
“I’ve always felt at home playing in the Gulf,” said South Africa’s World Golf Hall of Fame member. “I won my first European Tour event in the UAE way back in 1994 and since then have loved playing in the region and enjoying some success in the big tournaments.
“I’m just one Falcon Trophy short of winning every ‘Desert Swing’ title – and I hope to rectify that next month in Abu Dhabi. That would be a great achievement, and is an ambition of mine, particularly given it’s the Championship’s 10th anniversary.”
One of only six golfers to win both the US Open and The Open Championship twice in his career, Els joins four of the world’s top 10, including Rory McIlroy (one), Henrik Stenson (two), Justin Rose (six) and Rickie Fowler (10), for the Championship’s landmark event and a cut of the $2.7 million (Dh9.9m) prize fund.
The 45-year-old could only finish joint 39th in his first attempt at Championship glory in 2013, carding an overall score of two under par in a year that saw Welshman Jamie Donaldson clinch the Falcon Trophy.
HSBC global head of sponsorship & events Giles Morgan said: “With some exciting new names at the top of golf’s global leaderboard, it will be fascinating to see who emerges on top in what promises to be a thrilling battle to kick-start the new season.”
