About the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship:
The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is a tournament on the European Tour schedule that has been played since 2006. The Abu Dhabi tournament is typically the first of several consecutive weeks of European Tour play in the Persian Gulf region, during the early part of the Euro Tour schedule.
2012 Abu Dhabi Championship
Robert Rock held off several stars to claim his second European Tour victory, shooting 2-under 70 in the final round. Rock and Tiger Woods shared the third-round lead, but Woods wound up two strokes short of Rock, tied for third with Graeme McDowell and Thomas Bjorn. Rory McIlroy was runner-up, one behind Rock.
2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Martin Kaymer ran away with the title, winning by six shots over runner-up Rory McIlroy. It was Kaymer's third win in Abu Dhabi in four years. Kaymer finished at 24-under with rounds of 67, 65, 66 and 66.
Martin Kaymer ran away with the title, winning by six shots over runner-up Rory McIlroy. It was Kaymer's third win in Abu Dhabi in four years. Kaymer finished at 24-under with rounds of 67, 65, 66 and 66.
2010 Tournament
Martin Kaymer shot a final-round 66 to edge Ian Poulter and win his second title in this event. Rory McIlroy was third. Kaymer finished at 21-under 267.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Records:
- 72 holes: 267 - Paul Casey, 2009; Martin Kaymer, 2010
- 18 holes: 62 - Henrik Stenson, 2006
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Golf Courses:
The tournament has been played at the same course each year of its existence: Abu Dhabi Golf Club. A carpet of green surrounded by desert, the course is a par-72. The club also has an additional nine holes.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Trivia and Notes:
- The tournament was first played in 2006 after its creation by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. HSBC joined as title sponsor for the 2011 tournament.
- Chris DiMarco was the tournament's first winner.
- Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey traded victories from 2007 through 2010, each winning twice, and in alternating years (Casey in 2007 and 2009, Kaymer in 2008 and 2010).
- The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship's trophy is easily recognizable and, some would argue, one of the coolest in golf. Known as the Falcon Trophy, it shows a falcon alighting (or perhaps taking flight from or with) on a golf ball.
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Winners:
2012 - Robert Rock, 275
2011 - Martin Kaymer, 264
2010 - Martin Kaymer, 267
2009 - Paul Casey, 267
2008 - Martin Kaymer, 273
2007 - Paul Casey, 271
2006 - Chris DiMarco, 268
2011 - Martin Kaymer, 264
2010 - Martin Kaymer, 267
2009 - Paul Casey, 267
2008 - Martin Kaymer, 273
2007 - Paul Casey, 271
2006 - Chris DiMarco, 268
