Top Guns arrive in Abu Dhabi with Fowler looking forward to the challenge
American Rickie Fowler has arrived at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship refreshed and looking forward to renewing his rivalry with friend and world number one Rory McIlroy. The two have admitted they enjoy taking each other on at tournaments around the globe, and Fowler is excited by the prospect of squaring off against golf’s top player in Abu Dhabi for the first time.
“I’m definitely looking forward to 2015, and having some great match‑ups with him (McIlroy), along with some of the other great young players. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
“It’s not just 2015 to look forward to but the rest of our careers. We have a lot of time that we’re going to be able to play against each other and this is really just the start of it. I feel like we’re going to have some fun and heated battles at times.”
Fowler arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier this week and has had the chance to explore The National course by playing in the Pro Am.
“The greens look awesome,” he said. “Tee‑to‑green, it was pretty much immaculate.”
The 26-year-old won’t only have McIlroy to contend with though, with world number two Henrik Stenson and Englishman Justin Rose both returning for another tilt at the title, while big hitting German Martin Kaymer is on the hunt for his fourth Falcon trophy.
Stenson, feeling recharged and raring to kick-start his season, said it would be a dream to win the Championship in its tenth anniversary year to complete his set of titles in the Gulf swing.
“Abu Dhabi is the one missing, and I would like to have it,” said Stenson, who has played in all 10 events and been runner-up twice. “I probably fancy my chances a little bit more this time around. My game feels in pretty good shape.”
Rose also went close in his first appearance in Abu Dhabi in 2013, and after missing last year’s event through injury, says he is keen to be in the mix again come Sunday.
“I’m very excited to be back here in Abu Dhabi,” he said. “It’s a really good place to start the season. It’s a good golf course, and in good condition.”
Kaymer knows the course as well as anyone after being the most successful man ever on it, and after a three week holiday, including a new found interest in skiing, he is ready to break more records on The National.
“I feel good,” he said. “It was very necessary to have a break after such a long season I had last year.
“A lot of people, they say, oh, we have to beat only you this week. No, it’s not only me. There are a few other guys out there. It’s always an open competition.”
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 is presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and runs at Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 15-18 January. Tickets and tailored packages are available via the event’s official website – www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at 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 and all those who book packages will enjoy a complimentary clinic with a world top 30 player.
