Fresh from his K Club heroics, Ryder Club talisman and eight-time Order of Merit winner, Colin Montgomerie is the latest golfing superstar to commit to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, to be held at the capital’s National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in January next year.
The Scottish maestro, currently ranked 14th in the world, will join Ryder Cup opponent Chris DiMarco, winner of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and fellow European Ryder Cup hero Sergio Garcia – the current world number eight – in Abu Dhabi from January 18th – 21st.
Montgomerie, one of the game’s most consistent performers, is heading to The Grove for the WGC American Express Championship, fresh from his 8th Ryder Cup appearance where he maintained his amazing record of never having lost a singles match, beating World Number 15, David Toms.
“Having played in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January, I’m thrilled to be able to compete at next year’s event. I’m aware that the course is being made more challenging and I can’t wait to try to improve on my sixth place finish. It’ll be a great way to start 2007,” said Montgomerie.
The amiable Scotsman pushed undisputed world number one Tiger Woods all the way at last year’s 134th Open Championship at St. Andrews, Scotland.
News of Montgomerie’s commitment has been warmly welcomed by Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which owns the Championship.
“After a fantastic performance at the K Club, Colin Montgomerie must be feeling very confident and we look forward to watching him deliver his own brand of magic again in January. Colin was popular with the spectators at this year’s inaugural Championship and I expect he will be a crowd puller once again next year,” he said.
Greg Sproule, Managing Director of IMG Middle East, which organises the Championship on behalf of ADTA, says Monty’s ongoing commitment to the championship signals the tournament is already an established stop on the European PGA Tour.
“Montgomerie’s commitment adds to a breadth of field which, apart from DiMarco and Garcia, already boasts the Abu Dhabi debut of South African Retief Goosen, now ranked sixth in the world. The Championship – the first tournament of the 2007 European Tour – will have a player field of 120 world class golfers,” said Sproule.
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.
Caption: Fresh from his Ryder Cup triumph, Montgomerie commits to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2007.
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; Standard Cahrtered Bank as a Platinum Sponsor; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors.
