Skip to content

Rickie Fowler expects tough title defence at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 17:  Rickie Fowler of the USA is pictured during practice for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf C

Rickie Fowler believes the absence of Rory McIlroy doesn’t make his title defence any easier at this week’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

The world No 14 returns to the Middle East for the Desert Swing opener, which McIlroy has been forced to withdraw from after picking up a rib injury during last week’s BMW SA Open.

Fowler makes his first start since finishing tied-third at last month’s Hero World Challenge and although he was relishing the chance to play alongside McIlroy this week, he fully understands the world No 2 not taking part.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ - JULY 27: (L-R) Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Rickie Fowler of the United States walk the 14th hole during a practice round prior t
Image: McIlroy had been due to feature in the field alongside Fowler

"It's a bummer that Rory is not going to be able to play this week," Fowler told a pre-tournament press conference. "It was fun to have him in contention with me last year here.

"But the biggest thing is for him to take care of himself and make sure he's healthy. So hopefully he's able to get back quickly. He's definitely a fan favourite, and I love playing against him.

Live European Tour Golf

"Does that make me look at the tournament any differently? No. It's one less top player in the world I'm going to have to beat.

"The field here is one of the best fields on The European Tour, and still has a lot of the top players in the world. Three of the major champions from last year are here and it's not going to be any easier to win."

Also See:

Rickie Fowler of the United States celebrates with his trophy after winning in the final of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the capital of the United Ar
Image: Fowler posted a final-round 69 last year to claim a narrow victory

Fowler tees off alongside Martin Kaymer and Alex Noren for the opening two rounds, while top seed Dustin Johnson has been grouped with Henrik Stenson and Danny Willett.

The defending champion claimed a one-shot win over Thomas Pieters in last year’s event but hasn’t registered a worldwide win since, seeing the American drop out of the world’s top 10.

"I had a few good tournaments after this last year, but individually I didn't play as well as I would have liked to," Fowler added.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 17:  Rickie Fowler of the United States tees of on the 13th hole during a practice round ahead of the Abu Dhabi H
Image: Fowler posted 11 worldwide top-10s in 2016

"It was definitely nice to get the win here to kick off the year. It would have been nice to kind of continue that form, but 2016 was still a great year."

Watch the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports – your home of golf. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 3.30am.

Live European Tour Golf

Around Sky