Unexpected challenge as Manassero, Garcia, Donald and Casey shift gear ahead of Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Golfing top guns in the UAE capital for this weekend’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship got the inside track on Yas Marina Circuit, host of November’s Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but not as they expected.
Matteo Manassero, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and Paul Casey experienced one of the world’s most impressive Formula One race tracks not by flying around it at 200mph in F1 cars, but by competing against each other in golf carts!
“When the golf carts chugged out from the pit lanes, I couldn’t help but laugh as we were about to race round a track accustomed to F1 cars, rather than carts that max out at 15mph!” said Manassero. “Having visited the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before, I had a vague idea of the circuit – but it’s a bit different when you’re actually down there on the track.”
After setting their initial qualifying times, the players returned to the track for the day’s finale. Following a slow start Donald soon found his stride and held off close competition from the likes of Manassero and Casey to take the inaugural title.
Following his victory, Donald said: “I’m so proud, humbled and excited. What a race, what a day. I think I had the weight advantage – the other guys eat too much!
“Hopefully this is the start of many good things to come.”
Thursday’s Championship will see a host of the world’s best challenging for the coveted Falcon Trophy, including Henrik Stenson, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, along with three-time Abu Dhabi winner Martin Kaymer.
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.
