A labour of love for China’s Wen Yi Huang as he prepares for his Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship debut
China’s breakthrough star, Wen Yi Huang, has confirmed he’ll compete in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Huang, who just 12 years ago was working as a building site labourer in Guangzhou, China, has had a remarkable rise to fame after only picking up a golf club for the first time in 2002.
With some strong results behind him at events such as the Hong Kong Open and reaching 113th in the 2013 European Tour Race to Dubai ranking, Huang has been tipped by many to break into the world’s top 100 in the coming year.
Ahead of this month’s championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National course, the Chinese international commented: “This will be my first time competing in Abu Dhabi and I’m feeling strong for the year ahead. My aim for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is to play consistently across all areas of my game.”
Huang’s relaxed and friendly persona is set to be a real hit with the fans at this month’s championship, which will see the 33 year-old take on superstars such as Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson.
Ahead of playing against such a strong field, Huang said: “To be given the opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s greatest players is a challenge I’m really going to relish. I’m told the course will be tougher than ever and might even throw up a few unexpected results, but I intend to take them in my stride!”
The bricklayer turned golfer will tee off at this Thursday’s championship alongside a host of the world’s best, including former world number one Luke Donald, Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking ambassador Matteo Manassero, crowd favourite and world number 10 Sergio Garcia and reigning Champion, Welshman Jamie Donaldson.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2014 is presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Tickets and packages are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com – and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ae), and 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.
