Abu Dhabi - Six to watch

Watch all four rounds of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sky Sports - live coverage starts on Thursday at 7am on SS1 and HD1

Last updated: 12th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Abu Dhabi - Six to watch

Harrington: first appearance of 2009

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The European Tour heads to Abu Dhabi for the first of three successive tournaments in the Middle East.

European Tour stats package

Not surprisingly, the lucrative Abu Dhabi Championship has attracted a top-class field with three of the world's top-10 ranked pros teeing-up - plus a host of other big names.

The 11-year-old Peter Harradine-designed venue is flat, exposed and with water hazards coming into play on nine holes.

However, the course is likely to yield its fair share of birdies, with previous winning scores here being 20, 17 and 15 under par respectively.

Two of the tournament's three previous winners - Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer - have returned to Abu Dhabi Golf Club for this week's fourth instalment but neither will start as favourite for the title.

So who are the biggest names teeing-up in Thursday's opening round?

Robert Allenby: The Australian makes his debut in Abu Dhabi on the back of a pretty solid season in the States where he finished 11th in the Money List with over $3.6m in the bank.

Nick Dougherty: Needs to re-establish himself as one of Europe's top young players. His form took a downward turn in 2008 following the sudden death of his mother early in the year.

Sergio Garcia: Makes his third appearance in the tournament, having posted a best previous finish of third three years ago.

Padraig Harrington: Opens his 2009 campaign on the back of a dual-Major success last year. The Irishman has played twice at Abu Dhabi, where his eight rounds average 69.38.

Miguel Angel Jimenez: Over the years has enjoyed rich pickings on his various visits to the Middle East. The 44-year-old Spaniard finished second at Abu Dhabi two years ago.

Henrik Stenson: Twice a runner-up in this event, the world No 8 Swede may turn out to be a better bet this weekend than either Garcia or Harrington. His 12 rounds at Abu Dhabi average 68.42.