With a combined 60 victories between them, golfing legends Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have confirmed their appearance at the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
Taking place between January 16-19, the tournament is the first of eight Rolex Series events on the 2019 European Tour international schedule.
Former world No5 Poulter will be looking to capitalise on his recent good form that saw him claim victory at the 2018 Houston Open on the PGA Tour, and claim two valuable points for the victorious European Ryder Cup team.
Fellow Englishman and former world No1 Westwood has enjoyed a stunning return to form in recent months, winning last month’s Rolex Series Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player in South Africa, and will be looking to continue his rise up the world rankings in Abu Dhabi.
Poulter, a 13-time winner on the European Tour, said: “I can’t wait play the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. From the immaculate greens to the world-class hospitality, it is my favourite tournament in the Middle East.”
Tommy Fleetwood will be gunning for a third straight title in Abu Dhabi.
Westwood, a 24-time winner on the European Tour, added: “Looking ahead to my 2019 season after winning in South Africa is pretty exciting. It felt great to finish the season with a win and now, I can’t wait to get back out on Tour in January and try to continue where I left off in 2018.
“It’s the perfect place to play golf in January and I’m thrilled to be heading to Abu Dhabi feeling like I am in with a really decent chance of featuring on the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon.”
HE Aref Al Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Ian and Lee are two players who have lit up the golfing world over the last 20 years and we are delighted to welcome them back to Abu Dhabi.
“Such a strong calibre of player matches our new Rolex Series status and solidifies our position as a pioneer in the world of hosting top quality global sporting events.
Rory McIlroy finished third in the Championship as Fleetwood triumphed last year.
“They join a line-up of world champions that includes the likes of Tommy Fleetwood, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. From the first tee shot to the last putt, this year’s tournament promises to live long in the memory.”
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship recently became part of the prestigious Rolex Series and with a prize fund now at US$7million, is one of the premium tournaments on the European Tour.
First staged in 2006, the tournament is being hosted at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 14th consecutive year. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ticketmaster.ae/artist/abu-dhabi-hsbc-championship-presented-by-ega-tickets/929325?brand=ae_hsbcgolf.
