Abu Dhabi, UAE. 12th November, 2008:


England’s Paul Casey and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson are the latest golfing superstars to confirm their participation in the fourth annual Abu Dhabi Golf Championship - running January 15-18th, 2009, at Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National Course.

Former Abu Dhabi champion Casey, and world number ten Stenson, will join triple Major winner and current world number five Padraig Harrington, Spain’s world number two Sergio Garcia and defending champion Martin Kaymer at the UAE capital’s European PGA Tour sanctioned event – which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

Casey, who acts as a Global Ambassador for Championship sponsor ALDAR - the leading Abu Dhabi-based integrated property development, investment and management company - will be looking to reclaim the ‘Falcon’ trophy he won by one stroke over Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez in 2007.

Following his National Course victory, Casey reached a career high of 13 in the world rankings. The 31-year old has had another consistent year, securing top 15 finishes in three of 2008’s four Majors. Casey was also one of European captain Nick Faldo’s wildcard picks for the 2008 European Ryder Cup team.

Casey is relishing starting his 2009 campaign in the familiar, and perhaps lucky, surroundings of the UAE capital: “I enjoy spending time in Abu Dhabi and I’m really looking forward to coming back in January,” said the 2001 Sir Henry Cotton European Tour Rookie of the Year.

“Through my role with ALDAR, I actually come to Abu Dhabi quite a lot and it’s amazing to see how fast the city and surrounding islands are developing. However, for the Championship’s four days I’ll be focused solely on the challenges of the National Course. I’d like to start the year with a good performance to build up some confidence. I’ll see how I get on but of course, being the first player to win the ‘Falcon’ twice would be very special,” added the eight-time European Tour winner.

Stenson, the 2007 Accenture Match Play Championship winner, finished tied third at this summer’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and tied fourth at the US PGA Championship – Irishman Harrington eventually won both events.

With previous victories in two of the three ‘Gulf Swing’ events, January will see Stenson aim to become the European Tour’s first player to win all three Middle East-based tournaments.

And after carding Abu Dhabi finishes of second, eighth and second – in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively – the ice-cool Swede is returning to the emirate determined to lift the ‘Falcon’ at the fourth attempt.

“I know the National Course well. It is a very good course and one which suits my game perfectly. I have a great record in Abu Dhabi but I want to go one better,” said Stenson, who holed the winning putt in Europe’s 2006 Ryder Cup triumph.

And the UAE resident insists he’ll be putting in some extra National Course practise during his Emirates-based winter period to break his silver-medal habit in the UAE capital: “With Abu Dhabi falling so early in the year, lots of players view it as the first big event on the European calendar.

“This always means the field is strong and hungry. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some practice during my off season and have a few advantages over the other guys,” added the seven-time Tour event winner.

With two former champions and three players in the world’s top 12 now confirmed for the event, ADTA officials are predicting the biggest Abu Dhabi Golf Championship to date.

“With Stenson and Casey all signed up for 2009, we have two more household names confirmed for Abu Dhabi in January,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

“Alongside Harrington and Garcia we now have a third of the European Ryder Cup team heading for Abu Dhabi and many more international stars set to join them. I’m sure that the 2009 field will stir up great enthusiasm and January’s attendance figures will comfortably pass those of previous years,” he added.

The 2009 championship formally begins on Wednesday, January 14 with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am and Awards Gala when sponsors and their guests will play and socialise with some of the world’s best professionals.