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Rob Lee expects an exciting week at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

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Rory McIlroy said he hasn't picked up a golf club in eight weeks but can't wait to get playing again as he looks forward to an exciting year ahead

Rob Lee reflects on another successful weekend for the European Tour's younger players and looks at the star-studded line-up involved in Abu Dhabi this week.

It really is quite incredible how there are so many players in their early twenties who have already either won on the European Tour or PGA tour and we had another at the Joburg Open last week in Haydn Porteous.

I think the average age of people winning has dropped considerably in the past two or three years, and the old notion that you need to spend a few seasons working out if your game is good enough just doesn't apply now.

It almost seems like you need to be 22 if you're going to do something, starting with Jordan Spieth and working your way backwards. They just seem to come off a development tour and make an instant success on the big stage, which doesn't seem like slowing down anytime soon.

Team Europe pose with the trophy after winning the EurAsia Cup by a huge 13-point margin
Image: Team Europe stormed to a 13-point victory over Team Asia in Malaysia

The European Tour have got plenty of them but America have their fair share too, so you wouldn't be surprised to see lots of changes to the 24 you might have expected to be at the Ryder Cup in September. This week's EurAsia Cup went very well for some of those European hopefuls and was a good practice situation in a team setting for the younger players to benefit from.

It gave Darren Clarke the chance to lead the ship himself with some good experience alongside him in Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter motivating the younger players. It was a good week for the team but I'm sure they all realise as nice as it was, it doesn't mean too much as the Ryder Cup is so, so different.

"I do find it a bit predictable though that Spieth, McIlroy and Fowler have been grouped together. Why not split them up and give the two sides of the draw some balance?"
Rob Lee

The players all know there's still a long haul between now and the end of August, so they have to keep their heads down and continue playing well most weeks to ensure they qualify. There's just so many events still to come, so even those not in the picture for Hazeltine at the moment still have time to get a run together. 

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A few of those players involved last week are also over in Abu Dhabi this week, which is really the first big one of the calendar year after a couple of good events in South Africa. It's great for the European Tour that Spieth and Fowler have come across to join Rory McIlroy on what's a great course for the early part of the season.

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I was blown away when Martin Kaymer won here in 2011 and finished 24 under, which was madness really as I felt at the start of the week McIlroy's 16 under would have been enough to walk it. It just shows that with the greens here being so good, there's no ceiling to what one of the big guys can do if they find their top form.

McIlroy and Spieth enjoyed riding a golfboard during practice in Abu Dhabi
Image: McIlroy and Spieth have been grouped together for the opening two rounds

I do find it a bit predictable though that Spieth, McIlroy and Fowler have been grouped together. Why not split them up and give the two sides of the draw some balance? You could stick in Andy Sullivan, Thomas Pieters, Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick with today's superstars to see how they go. The more game time they have under the spotlight with the world's best, the quicker they'll bloom.

There are so many impressive players in action this week, but THE group of three is where a winner is most likely to come from. Spieth showed exactly what he's about by coming out of the blocks and winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions so convincingly in his first start of the year.

Jordan Spieth makes his first start in a regular European Tour event this week
Image: Spieth started his year with an eight-shot win in Hawaii

Spieth's fantastic and I love the way he has his heart on his sleeve, just as McIlroy does, but I'd say if I was to pick my favourite to watch out of those two and Rickie Fowler I'd narrowly go with McIlroy. He's got that slight unpredictability about him in the sense you're not 100 per cent sure what's going to happen, which has me on the edge of my seat slightly more than those chasing him.

That's no detriment to the other two, or Fowler for that matter, who are also compelling to watch. I'm not sure about the joggers and the high-tops, but there's no doubt Fowler's also an amazing player who has done a lot of great work to change his action to make him more competitive and more consistent. He's going to be there or thereabouts again this year and I can really see him winning a major in 2016.

Rickie Fowler features alongside Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy this week
Image: A big year is expected for Rickie Fowler in 2016

One thing is for sure though, whoever ends up being No 1 at the end of the year is going to have to have played some special golf. If they all play well though, it's hard to predict anyone else even getting a look in. We're very lucky to have these young guys at the top and long may it continue. 

Watch the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf

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