The European Challenge Tour returns to the UAE for the first time since 2018 when the Abu Dhabi Challenge takes place at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from April 27-30. Here’s everything you need to know for the week ahead.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Abu Dhabi Golf Club was designed by Peter Harradine in 1998 and opened its doors in May 2000. It boasts a 27 hole Championship course and an impressive clubhouse built in the shape of a falcon with wings outstretched. With its perfect fairways, strategically placed bunkers and generous greens, the club has developed a reputation as one of the very best courses in world golf and has hosted 18 consecutive editions of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The club also takes pride in its exceptional leisure facilities. Since opening 23 years ago, the facilities have undergone a significant expansion and renovation in order to provide the very best experience for those that visit.
Strength of the field
This week’s Challenge Tour field in Abu Dhabi is one of the strongest in recent history. 19 former DP World Tour winners with a combined 46 top tier wins between them will tee it up at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Spaniard Alvaro Quiros leads that list with seven DP World Tour wins, while Englishman David Howell is a five-time DP World Tour winner. 2023 Junior Ryder Cup Captain Stephen Gallacher returns to the Challenge Tour this week as a four-time DP World Tour winner alongside Matteo Manassero, the youngest winner in DP World Tour history. South African Brandon Stone and Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg will also tee it up in the Emirate and they both have three DP World Tour wins to their name.
Another former DP World Tour winner Gary Stal will return to a happy stomping ground this week. The Frenchman secured a stunning victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at this venue in 2015, where he came from eight shots behind Martin Kaymer in the final round to snatch victory.
Challenge Tour returns to the UAE
The UAE returns as a host country on the Road to Mallorca schedule for the first time since it hosted the Ras Al Khaimah Challenge Tour Grand Final at Al Hamra GC in 2018. Then, it was Spaniard Adri Arnaus that triumphed by one shot to make sure of a spot on the DP World Tour. He’s kept his card ever since and recently finished in a tie for sixth place at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship in February this year, which also took place at Al Hamra GC.
In partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation
In 2022 the DP World Tour and the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) announced a long-term partnership aimed at developing golf in the United Arab Emirates for at least the next decade. As part of the announcement, there was a commitment to investing in a minimum of two Challenge Tour events in the country annually from 2023.
This year the Challenge Tour visits Abu Dhabi for the first time in its history with back-to-back events as the Abu Dhabi Challenge precedes the UAE Challenge. These events have been made possible due to the long-term partnership and the support of the host venues Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, along with sponsors ARENA, Phoenix Capital and Al Laith.
The partnership will also see 30 spots in each tournament allocated to the EGF, to help create playing opportunities and provide a pathway for Emirati golfers, meaning there will be plenty of local stars to follow for the next two weeks.
Those teeing it up this week include Emirati Number One Ahmad Skaik, who returned to competition in February following a long-term injury lay-off to win the UAE Presidents Cup.
Road to Mallorca Rankings begin to take shape
After a month-long hiatus, the Road to Mallorca returns for two weeks in the UAE. The first six events of the season took place across South Africa and India with the Road to Mallorca Rankings beginning to take shape.
Ugo Coussaud’s maiden Challenge Tour victory at The Challenge presented by KGA at the end of March catapulted the Frenchman to the summit of the Rankings on 662 points. South African JJ Senekal is 230 points behind in second while Swede Adam Blommé occupies third. South African duo Dylan Mostert and Jaco Prinsloo sit in fourth and fifth respectively.
Spaniard Manuel Elvira and Joel Girrbach of Switzerland shared second place at The Challenge presented by KGA to ascend the Road to Mallorca Rankings. Elvira climbed to eighth in the Rankings, with Girrbach moving up 35 places to 13th.
