Release date: 20th November 2007


Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, the Ryder Cup legend who has amassed 39 Tour victories in his 20-year career, has thrown his hat into the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship ring for the third straight year after confirming his participation in January’s European PGA Tour sanctioned event.

‘Monty,’ the record eight-time winner of the European Order of Merit, will join fellow Ryder Cup winners, Paul Casey, the defending champion, and UAE resident Henrik Stenson in Abu Dhabi from January 17th – 20th.

One of the game’s most consistent performers, Montgomerie, who lifted an astonishing seven consecutive Order of Merit titles between 1993 -1999, has an amazing record of having never lost a Ryder Cup singles contest in all eight matches he has played.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for the third time,” said the Scottish maestro, who’ll be chasing a share of the US $2 million prize fund and the championship’s coveted ‘Falcon’ trophy.

“Having shot 17-under in the inaugural event and 10-under earlier this year, I know the National Course will be a stern test for all of us vying for the ‘Falcon.’

“It would be great to start 2008 with a strong finish, or even a win, in the UAE capital,” added the Scotsman.

News of Montgomerie’s commitment has been warmly welcomed by Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

“Repeat business is a successful formula for any line of endeavour and by attracting back the best in the game, such as Monty, we are demonstrating our international golfing credentials,” he said.

“Monty has his own brand of magic on the course, and after being extremely popular with the supporters over the past two years, I fully expect he will be another huge crowd puller next year.