Sport360°’s five favourites for the Abu Dhabi title

Sport360 staff 11:18 16/01/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Super Swede: Henrik Stenson is one of the favourites to win in Abu Dhabi.

    HENRIK STENSON (Sweden) 

    World Ranking: 3

    2013 Race to Dubai: 1

    2013 FedEx Cup: 1

    Wins in 2013: Three

    Best finish in Abu Dubai: Second (2006 & 2008)

    Best round in Abu Dhabi:  62

    This tournament is the only missing piece in Stenson becoming the first player to achieve a ‘Desert Slam’. And the way he has been playing and breaking records, don’t be surprised if the 37-year-old Swede finally gets his hands around the Falcon Trophy this year. There is no doubt he loves the National course. After all, he holds the course record here – a brilliant 62 in the third round in 2006.

    RORY MCILROY (N. Ireland)

    World Ranking: 7

    2013 Race to Dubai: 35

    2013 FedEx Cup: 50

    Wins in 2013: One

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Second (2011 & 2012)

    Best round in Abu Dhabi: 65

    Won’t it be just fitting that the place where his slide began last year, is also the place where he bounces back in full glory? The Australian Open win in December could just be the sign of things to come. Like last year, he will be coming to Abu Dhabi with something new – an engagement ring in his finger – but that surely is not going to give him as much trouble as his new clubs and ball did last year.

    SERGIO GARCIA (Spain)

    World Ranking: 10

    2013 Race to Dubai: 16

    2013 FedEx Cup: 22

    Wins in 2013: One

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Third (2006)

    Best round in Abu Dhabi: 64

    In his last three starts, the Spaniard has finishes first, second and fourth, which can only mean he is going to be a force to be reckoned with this week, unless he's gathered too much rust over the winter break. Garcia has a great record on the National course, never finishing outside the top 15 in his five starts, and eve made a hole-in-one on the 12th when he was here in 2012. 

    PHIL MICKELSON (USA)

    World Ranking: 5

    2013 Race to Dubai: N/A

    2013 FedEx Cup: 9

    Wins in 2013: Three

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: 37th (2011)

    Best round in Abu Dhabi: 70

    The 43-year-old American reckons this will be his finest season yet, and when you have won five Majors and countless tournaments in stunning fashion, that takes some doing. But now that he has got a new driver in the bag that is straighter and longer, he is itching to unleash it, and we will see how it behaves this week. His magical short game will be crucial on the toughened National course.

    MARTIN KAYMER (Germany)

    World Ranking: 43

    2013 Race to Dubai: 24

    2013 FedEx Cup: 84

    Wins in 2013: None

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Winner (2008, 2010 & 2011)

    Best round in Abu Dhabi: 65

    Let’s just wait and see which Kaymer turns up this week at the tournament. Obviously, he is a three-time champion and feels most comfortable out there on the National course, but he has also missed the cut twice. His natural fade and his strong long game gives him a great advantage, and he’d surely want to get over a winless 2013 season in a hurry by lifting a fourth Falcon Trophy this week

    The Dark Horses

    Luke Donald (England)

    World Ranking: 19

    2013 Race to Dubai: 43

    2013 FedEx Cup: 28

    Wins in 2013: One

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: 11th (2008)

    Has slipped rapidly after a brilliant 2011 when he won the Money List on both sides of the Atlantic. But class is permanent, and victory in the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan should do a lot for his confidence. His swing changes also seem to be setting in.

    Branden Grace (S. Africa)

    World Ranking: 42

    2013 Race to Dubai: 18 

    2013 FedEx Cup: Not eligible

    Wins in 2013: None

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Fifth (2013) An astonishing five wins in 2012 was followed by a dry 2013. But the South African is showing welcome signs of return to form, and the second place last week in Durban should put him in a good frame of mind for Abu Dhabi, where he finished fifth last year.

    Paul Casey (England)

    World Ranking: 87

    2013 Race to Dubai: 30

    2013 FedEx Cup: Not eligible

    Wins in 2013: One

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Winner (2007 & 2009)

    Never count out the Englishman in Abu Dhabi. The two-time champion is showing signs of recapturing the form of past, having overcome the various injuries in the past couple of years.

    Joost Luiten (Netherlands)

    World Ranking: 51 2013

    Race to Dubai: 12 2013

    FedEx Cup: Not eligible

    Wins in 2013: Two

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: Sixth (2013) Don’t let his size fool you. The Dutchman packs a severe punch and will be keen to extend his run from last year when he won twice, including his home open. He has started the season well, finishing third in Durban last week, where he also made a rare albatross.

    Tommy Fleetwood (England)

    World Ranking: 89

    2013 Race to Dubai: 26

    2013 FedEx Cup: Not eligible

    Wins in 2013: One

    Best finish in Abu Dhabi: 70th (2012) He is already being labelled the next British superstar in the golfing world. The 23-yearold enjoyed a fantastic 2013 season, which also included his maiden European Tour win at Johnnie Walker Classic in Gleneagles, and was leading in Durban last week before finishing third.

    Recommended