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'Desert Swing' begins in Abu Dhabi

Dubai - American 'Mr Cool' Rickie Fowler is back for his title defence

The 'Desert Swing' of the men's European Tour gets rolling with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which begins on the morrow and as has been the case every year, the tournament has attracted a galaxy of stars.
And the 12th edition of the Championship has a stellar field of 126 golfers which includes Major champions as well as Ryder Cup legends. And they will be looking to lay down an early marker to the 'Race to Dubai.'
American 'Mr Cool' Rickie Fowler is back for his title defence of the prestigious Falcon Trophy but there are a host of names who are out to inscribe their name on it.

Race to Dubai champion Sweden's Henrik Stenson, once a long-time UAE resident, would be looking to add this event to his bludgeoning collection of trophies
Stenson, who recorded 10 top 10s on his way to being crowned the European Tour's No.1 for the second time in his career, has two runner-up finishes at the Championship and will be looking to go one better in his 12th appearance.
Meanwhile, there is also Germany's Martin Kaymer, who could be in the mix. The National Course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club has been quite easy on Kaymer's eye and three title wins are a testament to that. He is the only three-time winner of the trophy, winning it in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
The field also includes Masters champion Danny Willett and Alex Noren as well as 2012 winner Robert Rock and 2015 champion Gary Stal.
Thomas Bjorn, who will captain Europe in this year's Ryder Cup too is in there and so are Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton and Branden Grace.
World No.3 and US Open Champion Dustin Johnson will be making his debut in the region.
The field also has Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello, Belgian prodigy Thomas Pieters as well as British trio Andy Sullivan, Lee Westwood and Chris Wood.
Fowler has been paired with Noren and Kaymer and will tee off from the par-5 10th. Meanwhile, Stenson will go out along with Johnson and Willett, and will also tee off from the 10th.
Bjorn has been paired with Jordan L Smith and Stephen Gallacher and will tee off from the 10th. Meanwhile, Rock will head out with 2014 winner Pablo Larrazabal and Gary Stal from the first tee.
Jamie Donaldson, the 2013 champion, is paired alongside Graeme Storm and Darren Clarke and will tee off from the first.
Abu Dhabi is part of the 'Desert Swing' that includes the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
james@khaleejtimes.com