PARIS: Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have both confirmed they will return to Abu Dhabi in January to open their 2013 season.
The top-ranking players in the world played in the emirate in January this year, although neither won the European PGA tournament which went to England’s Robert Rock.
But both said they had been impressed by the Abu Dhabi Golf Club course and the facilities that were provided, convincing them to return for next year with a $2.7 million prize fund on offer from January 17-20.
“I really enjoyed my time in Abu Dhabi and I wanted to return, particularly as I played well and came so close last year,” said Woods.
“I’d love nothing more than to win in January and start the season in the best possible way.”
McIlroy, who won his first pro tournament in nearby Dubai in 2009, took over the world No.1 spot earlier this year and went on to win his second major tournament at the USPGA in August.
“This will be the first time I’ve headed to Abu Dhabi as world number one and I’m determined to keep the wins coming and cement my ranking,” the Ulsterman said. “The strength of the field means there will be a ton of world ranking points on offer so Abu Dhabi will be a really significant tournament that sets the tone for the year.
“I had a great tussle with Tiger nine months ago and I’m sure he’ll be in contention again. We’ve spent a lot of time playing together this year and it’s always fun challenging the best.”
China prodigy Andy Zhang to make Asia debut
Meantime, Chinese wunderkind Andy Zhang, who at age 14 this year became the youngest golfer ever to compete in the US Open, will play his first Asian professional tournament this week at OneAsia’s Kolon Korea Open.
Zhang, an amateur who turns 15 in December, is hoping to continue an incredible year that saw him play alongside the world’s best at the Olympic Club in San Francisco in June.
“It was a crazy time,” Zhang said of the experience, noting it was tough to keep his feet on the ground after the competition.
“I had my ups and downs. For at least two or three months I played tournaments and the results weren’t as good as I would have liked.”
At 14 and 1/2 years, the Beijing-born, but Florida-based Zhang was the youngest player ever to compete in the US Open, which was first held in 1895.
In the first round he shot a credible nine-over par 79 — the same as US Masters champion Bubba Watson — but missed the cut after a second-round 78.
Despite the high hopes following an incredible year for the youngster, Zhang was setting himself realistic goals ahead of the 1 billion won ($900,000) competition that starts Thursday with some of the best golfers in the Asia-Pacific region, including Major winner Y.E. Yang.
“If I can keep to around par for the first two rounds and hopefully make the cut, I’ll be very happy,” the youngster said. “Two or three over for the tournament would be pretty good.”
The prodigy began playing golf seriously as a six-year-old in Beijing after being spotted by a Korean coach who thought Zhang had a natural talent.
Zhang has lived in the United States since he was 10, and attends the IMG Golf Academy in Florida.
Woods, McIlroy to play in Abu Dhabi
