The Abu Dhabi Invitational returns to Yas Links Golf Club

Abu Dhabi will host this January one of the world’s most highly regarded and popular Pro-Am golf championships – the Abu Dhabi Invitational – with the support of Host Partner, Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The Abu Dhabi Invitational, founded in 2007 will take place at the stunning Kyle Philips-designed Yas Links on January 25th 2015.

The tournament presents golf fans with the opportunity to see some of the game’s biggest stars partner up with a global selection of VVIP amateurs in a unique relaxed yet competitive environment.
 
H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, welcomed the tournament back to the capital of the UAE, saying: “We are delighted to be hosting the Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links. Over the years it has earned its reputation as one of the most prestigious ‘must-play’ Pro-Ams in the game of golf.”
 
“We are excited to see the tournament return to Abu Dhabi and look forward to welcoming elite businessmen and professional golfers from around the world to enjoy the Abu Dhabi Invitational. With all this support we hope to be able to achieve our target of raising US$500,000 for charity.”
 
One man who is relishing the event’s return is defending champion Richie Ramsay, who won the 2012 tournament by three shots from Thorbjorn Olesen and Richard Finch, after firing a course record 10-under 62. “It’s fantastic to have the Abu Dhabi Invitational back on the calendar again in 2015 and I’m really looking forward to defending my title at Yas Links,” said Ramsay.
 
“The first class quality of the course helps attract a high calibre of players to the field and I’ve been putting in a lot of practice over the winter to make sure that I can put myself in contention again in 2015 ­ hopefully with another eagle or two on the scorecard at Yas Links!”
 
Unlike previous years when the tournament was played over one day, the 2015 Abu Dhabi Invitational will be a two-day, 36 hole event, with the famous Pro-Am on Day One and the Am-Am on Day Two.
 
The 56 pros will compete for a US$500,000 purse on Day One while their 56 VVIP amateur playing partners will then play alongside 56 VIP amateurs on Day Two, after which the 36-hole Amateur Champion will be crowned.
 
Already confirmed to join Scotsman Ramsay in the field are 2009 champion Stephen Gallacher, Golf in Abu Dhabi Ambassador Matteo Manassero, 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Champion Pablo Larrazabal, Thorbjorn Olesen, Marcel Siem and Jeev Milka-Singh. Rising star Matt Fitzpatrick will also get his first taste of the tournament as will European golf legend Sandy Lyle and two young female stars, Amy Boulden and Carly Booth.
 
The amateur field will be a Who’s Who from the elite business world and will also feature some well-known sporting legends such as former AC Milan and Chelsea footballer Andriy Shevchenko.
 
As with the 2012 edition of the tournament, the Abu Dhabi Invitational has been boosted greatly by receiving Official Sanctioning from The European Tour. Nick Tarratt, Director of The European Tour, International Dubai Office, said: “It’s good to have the Abu Dhabi Invitational back – it’s an extremely highly regarded event and one that fully deserves European Tour sanctioning.”
 
“Yas Links is a real jewel in the crown of the UAE’s golf course offering and it’s a fitting venue on which to host some of The European Tour’s best golfers.”
 
With another star-studded field set to gather at Yas Links on Sunday, January 25, the Abu Dhabi Invitational 2015 promises to serve up another intoxicating feast of good times and great golf.
 
About the Abu Dhabi Invitational:
The ABU DHABI INVITATIONAL Founded in 2007 will be contested by over 50 European Tour professionals, each partnering an amateur guest from the world of elite business and entertainment in a Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Yas Links Golf Club on Sunday 25th January 2015.
 
The Professionals are playing for a prize fund of US$500,000 of which US$125,000 will be donated to charity by the top 4 professionals (donated to the charities of their choice). The Abu Dhabi Invitational has raised and donated over $1.2m to many charities in the UAE and around the world. Our target for 2015 is to raise $500,000 and continue to make a difference.
 
A limited number of exclusive access passes to watch the action live at Yas Links are available by sending a request to spectate@theinvitational.com with your requirements. The number is limited and on a first come first served basis.
 
Picture Caption: 2012 Invitational Champion Richie Ramsay receives the trophy from tournament host and founder Abdullah Al Naboodah.