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The
Spaniard joins a glittering Championship field, which includes defending
champion and one of the USA’s top 10 golfers, Chris DiMarco; Scottish
Ryder Cup talisman Colin Montgomerie; Championship newcomer and current
World Number 6, South African Retief Goosen; fellow Spanish dynamo Sergio
Garcia, now 11th in the Official World Golf Rankings; Sweden’s Henrik
Stenson and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington.
“Last year I finished 5th, just five shots off the blistering pace set
by Chris and Henrik Stenson. That said, it was a fantastic Championship
to play in, and I’ve competed in a few,” commented Jimenez.
“I’ll be looking to start as strongly as I did in the inaugural Championship
and keep that momentum going into my final round. I know the course has
been improved and upgraded since last year, which is fantastic for the
players and the spectators – it should lead to plenty of twists and turns
during the four days and keep us all on our toes.”
Jimenez finished a respectable 15 under par in last year’s championship
and organisers were quick to tip the Spaniard, whose two decades of experience
in navigating courses around the world make him a genuine contender for
the 2007 title.
“Miguel’s return speaks volumes for the way this year’s event is viewed
by the world’s top players. Men like Jimenez have played courses and tournaments
the world over, and for them to commit to Abu Dhabi for the second year
running is a great coup for us and should help further fuel spectator
interest and global appeal in the Championship,” Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director
General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which owns the Championship.
A total prize fund of US$2 million and unique facilities make the Abu
Dhabi Golf Championship one of the most attractive tournaments on the
European Tour schedule ensuring even more world-class players will compete
for the first prize of US$333,330.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007 will begin with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am
and Awards Gala when sponsors and their guests have the chance to play
and socialise with some of the world’s best professionals.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007 has attracted a high profile sponsorship
line up including: Etihad Airways and Aldar as Diamond Sponsors; Emirates
Palace, Etisalat and Standard Chartered Bank as a Platinum Sponsor; Nissan,
Airbus, Rolls Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors, Gulf News as the
Official Newspaper and Middle East Golfer as the Official Magazine.
Tickets for the Championship are available via the official website -
www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
- online at www.timeouttickets.com,
via the ITP toll free hotline 800 4669 or for international clients +971
4 210 8943 and at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Tickets are priced at AED 125
for a daily pass and AED400 for a four-day pass though preferential rates
of AED100 and AED300 respectively apply to UGA members. Children under
18 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking will
be free during the Championship.
Meanwhile, amateur golfers can win a chance to play with one of the professionals
in the 2007 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Pro Am by entering an online competition
on:
http://www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com/competition.asp
For further information:
Barbara Saunders, MCS/Action, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 390 2960
Fax: +9714 390 8161
Email: barbara.s@actionprgroup.com
Or log on to the championship at:
www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
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