Rory McIlroy Makes his 2015 Season Debut In Abu Dhabi

Sep 26, 2014; Auchterarder, Perthshire, SCT; European player Rory McIlroy reacts after making a birdie putt on the first hole during the first round for the 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel-PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

A nice field of European Tour players, including Rory McIlroy, and Henrik Stenson, will make their way to the United Arab Emirates for the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship this week. For the most part, it will be a who’s-who from the 2014 European Tour Ryder Cup team. Tiger Woods no longer makes this early appearance in Abu Dhabi, but this year, Rickie Fowler will be going over with Chris DiMarco from the Golf Channel.

The 2015 HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

Last year, it appeared to be a battle between a resurgent Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson in the final round of the HSBC Championship, but it was Spaniard, Pablo Larrazabal who went home with the Falcon Trophy.

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The 31 year-old from Barcelona overcame a three-shot deficit on Sunday, playing alongside Rory, and fellow countryman, Miguel Angel Jimenez for the surprise win at the first stop on the Desert Swing.

"“Obviously playing alongside Rory and Miguel (Angel Jiménez) helped me too, as I knew that if Rory was playing well he’s going to have a chance to win a golf tournament, so to be playing with him I knew I had a chance. I made a great up and down on 12, and a birdie on 13 which gave me a chance to win, and that’s what I did."

Chris DiMarco

In case you were wondering why The Golf Channel’s Chris DiMarco will be joining Rickie Fowler in Abu Dhabi, it’s because the event is celebrating its first decade, and DiMarco won the inaugural event back in 2006.

Sep 27, 2014; Auchterarder, Perthshire, SCT; USA golfer Rickie Fowler tees off with an iron on the 17th hole during day two of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort – PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

With his wife, Amy on the bag, DiMarco outlasted Henrik Stenson, and a charge by Sergio Garcia to win the first Falcon Trophy. DiMarco had not won in the previous four years.

"“This is four years to the month since I have been in the winner’s circle,” said DiMarco. “Like I said on Wednesday, a win, anywhere is great and this was an unbelievable field this week. I think we had four guys in the top 11 in the world here, so we had a very good field. Henrik played great and obviously Sergio played real good today.”"

Rory McIlroy

It was in Abu Dhabi two years ago, that Nike President, Cindy Davis held the LeBron James like announcement that made Rory McIlroy a Nike employee. After the big let-down, with Rory, and Tiger Missing the cut, Rory’s career went in the dumper for the better part of the 2013 season.

There was the toothache debacle at the Honda Classic, and a season where the young Ulsterman chased tennis star, Caroline Wozniaki around the world to keep up with her career. It wasn’t until late December, that Rory overcame a four-shot deficit at the Australian Open over Adam Scott to get his golf game, and career back on track.

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That was then, and this is now. Rory wants a Falcon Trophy of his own, and he comes to Abu Dhabi on the heels of the best season of his career.

A season that saw him win two majors, and a World Golf Championship event in consecutive outings. Add a Ryder Cup, to go along with a second Race To Dubai title, and you have a season that dreams are made of.

Rory will make his season, and 2015 Race To Dubai début on Thursday morning in Abu Dhabi.

Rickie Fowler

With added distance to his golf game, Rickie Fowler was the best player on any tour in 2014 that didn’t win a tournament. I think it’s great that he has taken his game to the European Tour this week, and let’s see how he does by himself against the best the European Tour has to offer.

I think it did wonders for Patrick Reed to play in Europe, and get that international experience. I’m convinced it will help Fowler as well. Maybe it will help add to the Ryder Cup experience, when it returns in 2016.

The Golf Course

The Abu Dhabi Golf Course is a 7600 yard(6934 Meter) monster designed by Peter Harradine, and opened in 1998. It plays to a par of 72, and by all accounts, is in excellent condition.

The fairways are Paspalum grass, the greens are seeded in Bernuda Tidwarf, and run between 12′ and 12′ 4″ on the Stimpmeter.

With the Abu Dhabi skyline in the background, and the red and white theme that surrounds this tournament, it is one of my favorite stops on the European Tour, and I can’t wait until action gets underway on Thursday morning.

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