Three-time Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship champion and two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer has his 2016 New Year’s resolutions already marked on his card.
Topping the list is lifting his fourth Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship’s coveted Falcon Trophy, which seemed to be in the bag until this year’s final day of play.
The only man to take home the £30,000 piece of silverware three times, the 30 year old German is preparing to deliver the same stunning form which left the world-class field in his wake until this year’s final day when Frenchman Gary Stal, then ranked 357th in the world, stole a march on him.
He led by six shots after 54 holes and by ten shots after five holes of the final round at The National, but played the next 13 holes in six over par and was pipped by Stal.
However, he is only focusing on positive memories as he seeks redemption.
“Abu Dhabi is very special for me. I’ve carded some of my best rounds and had some very memorable victories there, and it would be great to win another Falcon Trophy in 2016,” said Kaymer, who is part of a star-studded line-up that also features current World Number One Jordan Spieth, making his Arabian debut, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson.
“I feel happy and relaxed when I visit Abu Dhabi and my affinity for The National course is no secret. If I can emulate the form of some of my best performances in January, there is no reason why I can’t put myself in position to have a good chance on Sunday evening.”
To date, Kaymer is an incredible 95-under par in his last 32 rounds over Abu Dhabi’s National course. Next January’s showpiece event will mark five years since he made Falcon Trophy history with his glorious 2011 hat-trick.
Teeing off his career in Abu Dhabi with a victory in 2008 for his maiden European Tour title at the age of 24, the German maestro has made Abu Dhabi his ‘home away from home,’ before winning twice more (2010 and 2011) and smashing several records along the way.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), which owns the annual European Tour season opener, says Kaymer’s comeback declaration has all the potential to ruffle feathers amongst the event’s world-class field.
“Quite frankly, nothing would surprise me with this Championship, and we’ve seen that over the years,” said His Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary.
“Martin is an Abu Dhabi legend – he has an amazing following here and I know everyone will be rooting for him in January. His comeback talk promises a great deal of excitement and we wish him well – but this is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where dream fields have set the benchmark from where others’ dreams have been made.”
Giles Morgan, HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, said: “Martin is an absolute class act and has been a real trailblazer for golf in the region, producing some sensational performances since his first victory back in 2008. But he will need to be at his very best in this stellar field – with Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson all confirmed, it promises to be another Abu Dhabi classic.
“World-class performances from world class players have earned the tournament the reputation as the jewel in the crown of Middle Eastern golf but as well as welcoming the greats of golf, we will also have one eye firmly fixed on the future; golf returns to the Olympics at Rio 2016 and our grassroots programmes, which underpin all of our flagship events, will continue to offer a platform to up and coming young talent in the region. This more than anything is why we recently extended our title sponsorship of this great event – after all, today’s prodigies are tomorrow’s superstars.”
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is owned and presented by ADSC. Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event’s official website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at AED50 for a daily pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over the Championship period enter free.
