Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship sees most open start for years

Despite the toughest course set-up to date, it was busy at the top after Day One of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, with three players sharing the five-under lead and another 51 finishing under par, giving the most open start for years.

Spaniard Rafa Cabrero-Bello, Frenchman Romain Wattel and Englishman Matthew Baldwin all came home in 67, with Cabrero-Bello’s four birdies on the back nine put him top of the leaderboard.  Scot Craig Lee almost joined them with a surge of four birdies in his last five holes leaving him just one shot behind.

The three leaders know they will be pressed hard tomorrow, after the opening day’s beautiful blue skies, sun-kissed fairways and fast-paced greens witnessed positive starts all round, putting 31 players within three shots of the lead.
The chasing pack included Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley at four under, Indian star Jeev Milka Singh at three under and the big guns of three-time Falcon Trophy winner Martin Kaymer, crowd favourite Rory McGinley and former world number one Luke Donald poised just behind on two under.
Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking ambassador Matteo Manassero followed closely, with a birdie on 18 letting him finish one-under for the day.
Current Falcon Trophy holder Jamie Donaldson and five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson found the National Course tougher, both posting rounds of one over, while Henrik Stenson’s will need to draw on his formidable form of 2013 following a two-over par 74.

Cabrero-Bello was just one of many who found the National’s latest Championship setting tough but he was pleased with a solid day’s work in the sun.
“It is tough out there,” he said.  “You need to drive it good, otherwise the rough, it’s very, very thick, and it’s not easy to play out of.  So you need to be playing very good off the tee and the greens are rolling really good, so I think that you can make the putts.
“Abu Dhabi reminds me a bit of home with the palm trees and the sand and the good weather, so I enjoy playing in short sleeves and in the sunshine.”
Rory McIlroy, who has spent 10 days in the UAE preparing for the Championship, said he had had a “solid start” on a course which gets more challenging every year.
“I played well.  I was very happy how I struck the ball and it is definitely a nice score to build on for the rest of the week.”

German Martin Kaymer, who has found Abu Dhabi a happy hunting ground in the past, also felt two-under was a good score on a course he compared to playing in the US Open.
“It was a satisfying round.  It’s a very tough golf course.  It was very difficult to play, even though there was no wind, but once you’re in the rough, it was very, very thick.”
Mickelson, playing his first round for two months, knows he has more to give, after working with coach Butch Harmon last week.
“We spent some time last week but my swing didn’t feel where I want it to be.  But that’s why we come out here in nice weather, good practise facilities and a beautiful week to work on it.
“I’m hopefully trying to just work my way into this tournament.”
Mickelson was one of a number of players who struggled with the National’s rough, with some clearly feeling it was the toughest ever.  But European Tour Tournament Director Miguel Vidaor revealed it had actually been cut back more than in previous years.
Emirati Ahmed Almusharrekh struggled on his third appearance at the Championship but brought a cheer to home throats as he birdied 18.

The first day’s spectators were treated to a feast of final-hole birdies, with 67 players finishing with a flourish.  The 18th’s new higher tee gives a tougher drive, with more bunkers and the water pulled into play, but the Championship field was up to the challenge.
Day Two promises to be a fascinating feast of golf, with the first day of Abu Dhabi’s weekend sure to swell spectator numbers.
Friday also sees ladies enter free as part of ‘Ladies Day’ and includes a best dressed competition. The winner will receive an amazing all-inclusive trip for two to Bangkok, flying on the UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways.
Elsewhere, special star appearances and master-classes in rugby and tennis will take place during the day at the HSBC Interactive Village.
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority 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, as do Emirates Golf Federation members.