Ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on Thursday, we look at five players who could sparkle around the capital.
Do you agree with our choices?
BROOKS KOEPKA (USA)
World Ranking: 1
Last five results: T30-T24-4-MC-WD
Last five results in Abu Dhabi: DNP-DNP-DNP-DNP-T9
After winning four majors over the past two years, there will be pressure on the world number one to add to that tally in 2020. The 29-year-old possesses a magnificent swing and thrives on the feeling of being slighted. After taking three months off due to knee surgery, the Florida man will be aiming to get his year off to a blistering start in the UAE capital. A T9 finish is his best result in Abu Dhabi, and the freshness of being away from a rigorous training schedule in recent weeks could inspire him to his finest finish yet.
PATRICK CANTLAY (America)
World Ranking: 6
Last five results: 28-T40-2-17-4
Last five results in Abu Dhabi: DNP-DNP-DNP-DNP-DNP
The 27-year-old is superbly consistent, recording 17 top-25 finishes in 21 worldwide starts last season. Among his stand-out displays were a win at the Memorial Tournament and runner-up finishes at the BMW Championship and Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. At the majors he was also impressive, securing a T9 finish at the Masters and T3 at the PGA Championship. A player with buckets of class and potential.
SHANE LOWRY (Ireland)
World Ranking: 19
Last five results: T13-T43-T62-T12-2
Last five results in Abu Dhabi: DNP-DNP-DNP-DNP-1
The Open winner comes into this week’s tournament backed by a stunning second place finish in Hong Kong. The Offaly man, reigning champion in Abu Dhabi, always draws a strong Irish support and will be hoping to continue his mesmerising form this weekend. With it being a new campaign, there is a blank canvas for the 32-year-old and expectations are going to be higher than ever, after his two wins and three additional top-10s from 2019.
TOMMY FLEETWOOD (England)
World Ranking: 10
Last five results: T20-T22-T53-1-2
Last five results in Abu Dhabi: MC-MC-1-1-42
The 2017 and 2018 winner enjoyed a glittering finish to last season, winning in Sun City and finishing second at the DP World Tour Championship. His consistency is unrivalled, not missing a cut since the French Open in July 2018. The Southport man seems to love conditions in the Emirates, and has all the tools in his armoury to produce another devastating season. A formidable display in Abu Dhabi could set the tone for a strong run of form before the first major of the year in April.
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU (USA)
World Ranking: 15
Last five results: T7-MC-T13-T4-15
Last five results in Abu Dhabi: DNP-T54-DNP-MC-DNP
The American began the 2019 season in tremendous fashion, winning in Dubai and sealing three top-10s in four starts. However, his form dropped off and he failed to register another top-10 until June. Tough work in the off-season has seen the California native recharge his batteries and increase his weight by 11kg in a bid to improve his driving distance. With seven worldwide wins, the 26-year-old will surely have his eye on breaking back into the top-six – a position he held until ten months ago.
