In any normal year, the unexpected return of Rory McIlroy following a discouraging two edition absence would be the storyline of the 16th Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. As the European Tour’s pre-eminent showman, a drawcard globally perhaps still second only to Tiger Woods, the 31-year-old Northern Irishman’s decision to make his first regular-season start on the Old World circuit in 16 months is indeed noteworthy.
That the former world No.1 has found snaring the Falcon trophy just as elusive as his attempts to be fitted for a green jacket – he’s a fourtime runner-up in the UAE capital – only adds spice to the plot.
The thing is, this is no ordinary year. It could never be, not after the crazy and transformative year the world has just endured, much less the European Tour and the game globally.
Sure, the return of the Holywood hero to Abu Dhabi Golf Club is much welcomed and a Middle East debut for world No.3 Justin Thomas equally significant. But the marquee signings are only part of story rich narrative.
The shift in management of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from IMG to the European Tour in 2021 was always going to be intriguing but the plot truly thickened when the European Tour and PGA Tour announced their “strategic alliance” in November.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2021 من Golf Digest Middle East.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 2021 من Golf Digest Middle East.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Tempting Entrée
INDUSTRY IDENTITIES AND A FORMER SIX NATIONS STAR AMONG THE BIG NAMES ROLLED OUT FOR THE EAGL’S SUMMER DRESS-REHEARSAL
Year of the Comeback
Tour pros of all ages are rediscovering their mojo
THE GOLF STAYCATION PERFECTED
Golf Digest Middle East’s inaugural Play & Stay is coming to Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills and Trump Dubai
THE GENIUS OF JORDAN
HE WANTED A CONFIDENT, RELIABLE SWING. HE FOUND IT IN A CLEVER WAY
The Starter
The Nairn Golf Club
Undercover Caddie
Think you could carry a 40-pound bag for a living?
DRIVE BLAST PUTT
THREE WAYS TO RAISE YOUR GAME
Get Set - Ball-striking success starts at address
AMATEURS OFTEN STAND OVER THE BALL with their feet too wide apart. I understand the appeal—they want to feel more stable throughout the swing, and a wider stance seems a logical way to achieve that.
Take 5
It’s hot but that’s no excuse not to warm-up before every round and range session
Classic Closer
Our monthly guide to taming the region’s stroke index 1 holes has gone off-piste. Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club professional Matthew Brookes heads to arguably the toughest finishing hole in Middle East golf
