The 2016 Race to Dubai ChampionHenrik Stensonwill kick-off his 2017 season at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the company of the reigning Masters Champion Danny Willettand the 2016 US Open winner Dustin Johnson.
Stenson, who recorded ten top tens on his way to being crowned the European Tour’s Number One for the second time in his career, has two runner-up finishes in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and will be looking to go one better in his 12th appearance.
Willett finished sixth in his opening event of the season in Hong Kong and will join the Swede on the tenth tee at 07.40 Thursday morning, along with Johnson, who will be making his first appearance in this event.
Teeing off ten minutes earlier will be the defending championRickie Fowler, aiming to emulate his success 12 months ago alongsideAlex NorenandMartin Kaymer.
While Noren’s prolific 2016, in which he won four times, should give him the confidence to challenge for a first title in the Middle East, Kaymer has three wins to his name in this tournament (2008, 2010 2011) and is among the favourites.
Rafa Cabrera Bello,Thomas PietersandLee Westwood, three of Darren Clarke’s European Ryder Cup team last year, will all go in search of their first victories here at 12.05.
Ian Poulterwill partner fellow Brits Andy Sullivan and Chris Wood at 11.55 in another high-profile group, with a trio of former champions,Pablo Larrazábal, Gary StalandRobert Rock, starting at 12.25.
Matt Fitzpatrickreturns to the country of his DP World Tour Championship victory and begins at 07.50 with playing partners Tyrrell Hatton andBranden Grace.
Stephen Gallacherwill celebrate his 500th European Tour appearance in Abu Dhabi this week and has been grouped with 2018 Ryder Cup CaptainThomas BjørnandJordan L Smith, the 2016 Challenge Tour Number One who finished third in South Africa last week.
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