2020 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Preview

January 14 2020 – THE GOLF SOCIETY

The European Tour’s first Rolex Series event kicks off in the United Arab Emirates at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Last year, Shane Lowry outlasted Richard Sterne by one stroke for his first of two victories in 2019; this year, he will defend his title against some of the biggest names in golf. Headlining the field is current World #1 Brooks Koepka, who is making his 2020 debut after recovering for a knee injury over the holidays. Past winners in the field include two-time winner Tommy Fleetwood and Pablo Larrazabal, who won this event back in 2014. Other notables who are teeing it up this week include last week’s winner and current Race to Dubai points leader Brendan Grace, along with former Masters champions Sergio Garcia and Danny Willett.

LOCATION

Abu Dhabi Golf Club - has been the only host of this event since its inception in 2006. The lush fairways and pure rolling greens make this one of the most popular Tour stops in the Arabian peninsula, and the closing par-5 18th always leads to an exciting finish.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Matthew Fitzpatrick: English players tend to do well in Abu Dhabi, and Matthew Fitzpatrick is no exception. His last start here was in 2018 where he finished 3rd, and with no wins in 2019, he will be eager to put his best foot forward this week.

Bryson DeChambeau: His only European Tour victory came last year in nearby Dubai, and the number 16th-ranked player in the world will look to add to his wins away from the U.S. Don’t be surprised to see him contending come Sunday.