Three time Champion Martin Kaymer aims for More Records at the 10th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Anniversary Tournament

Germany’s Martin Kaymer, the most successful player in Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship’s history with three Falcon Trophy wins, has declared an early statement of intent for the event’s 10th anniversary showing this January, announcing he’s ready to break more records at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Fresh from a triumphant Ryder Cup victory, the 29-year-old joins world number one Rory McIlroy in what is shaping up to be another star-studded showpiece of the world’s top players for the ‘Gulf Swing’ opener held January 15-18, and a share of the US $2.7 million prize purse.
 
Kaymer holds the record for the Championship’s largest winning margin of eight strokes, as well as the combined score of 24 under par over four rounds. He has shown some stunning form throughout this season, with an eight stroke 2014 US Open victory and The Players Championship title under his belt.
 
“Abu Dhabi has been very kind to me over the years and it’s no secret that I love playing there,” Kaymer said. “The tournament, the people behind it, and the crowds make for an incredible experience every year. I always feel comfortable in Abu Dhabi and after the success I’ve enjoyed it would mean a lot to win another Falcon trophy in its tenth year. Who knows, I might be lucky enough to break more records along the way!”
 
Teeing off his career in Abu Dhabi with victory in 2008 for his maiden European PGA Tour title at the age of 24, Kaymer has made the UAE capital a ‘home away from home’. He ruffled feathers further with another two Falcon trophy wins in 2010 and 2011, breaking a string of records along the way.
 
In recognition of his hat-trick of Abu Dhabi titles, Kaymer got to keep the 5.3kilo Falcon Trophy in 2011 – a £25,000 piece of silverware specially commissioned from renowned British silversmith Edward Asprey.
 
Kaymer’s recent strong Ryder Cup performance culminated with the Düsseldorf-born athlete chipping in for an eagle on the 17th to beat Bubba Watson and steal one of four crucial points towards Europe’s triumph. The former number one also played a key role in sealing Team Europe’s victory when he sunk the winning pressure putt in Medinah two years ago.
 
This year’s Ryder Cup triumph capped a memorable year for Kaymer, who strengthened his affinity with Abu Dhabi in January when he also became an ambassador for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE.
 
“Martin Kaymer has played a huge role in the Championship’s success and he is a unique part of our history,” said Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which owns and organises the Championship. “His presence at the Championship always adds a great deal of interest and he has a huge following here. We thoroughly look forward to welcoming him back to Abu Dhabi for another shot at history and possibly even his fourth Falcon trophy against another tough field.”
 
HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship & Events Giles Morgan said: “We have enjoyed an incredible year of golf and witnessed a changing of the guard at the top of golf’s global leaderboard. Along with World No 1 Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer has undoubtedly been one of the stars of 2014 and with players of this calibre leading the way we can look forward to another thrilling Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. HSBC’s ambition is to open up the world of golf and we are delighted to work with our partners at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority to bring world class golfers to serve up world class entertainment on a world class course.  In the last ten years, the tournament has grown in stature and is now established as one of the highlights of the sporting calendar – an unmissable family event in the region.”
 
Tailored package details for the 2015 Championship held from January 15 – 18, are available from www.golfinabudhabi.com. Championship packages include five nights’ accommodation in one of Abu Dhabi’s leading hotels, two rounds of golf on Abu Dhabi’s Championship courses, season passes to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship as well as an array of stunning tourism attractions. To top this off, all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top 30 player.