2012 emirates invitational official programme

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January 30, 2012 – Official programme – Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi

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CONTENTS

p5 Welcome from HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoump7 Welcome from Abdullah Al Naboodahp9 Welcome from ADTAp11 Welcome from The European Tourp13 premier partners and Sponsors p15-21 Review of The 2011 Invitationalp24-25 Local Charity Supportp29-33 Graeme McDowell p37-39 Ross Fisherp41-45 Celebrities join in the funp49-53 Battling it out for the Golden Ticket spotsp57 Yas Links Course Mapp59 professionals entries p61-89 player profilesp90-95 Yas Links Golf Club

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It is with great pleasure that I welcome you on behalf of Emirates, the title

sponsor of the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

With an all-star field – including defending champion Retief Goosen – lined up to once again tackle a course widely viewed as the best in the Middle East, this year’s Emirates Airline Invitational promises to be the best yet.

This European Tour-sanctioned event is now established as one of the most prestigious Pro-Ams in golf and with 52 European Tour Professionals taking part, including a host of Major champions, as well as a number of celebrity amateurs, its reputation is set to be enhanced further.

Emirates has a long history of sponsoring golf and it is tremendous to be strengthening our commitment to the sport by supporting a tournament in our home country which will give amateurs the chance to play alongside household names like Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Colin Montgomerie.

Emirates is very proud of our involvement in golf around the world – we sponsored 19 tournaments in 2011, including 11 on The European Tour International Schedule.

The Emirates Airline Invitational will kick-start another exciting year for us as we look forward to being the Official Partner of the 2012 European Ryder Cup Team, as well as sponsoring a number of high-profile events, including the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, the climax to the

European Tour season. We are honoured to be the Title Partner of the Emirates Airline Invitational, an event which raised Dhs 1.5 million for charity last year, and we look forward to helping it grow from strength to strength.

I wish you all an enjoyable day at the Yas Links Golf Club and my best wishes to all the players involved.

HH SHEIkH AHMED BIN SAEED AL MAkTOuMWELCOME FROM

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HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al MaktoumChairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group


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YAS ABU DHABI

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Welcome to the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational – our amateur

guests, Tour Professionals, celebrities, our Partners, Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, and, of course, our spectators who we consider as a vital part of the tournament.

Last year The Invitational received the huge boost of Emirates Airline becoming the Title Partner and this year the tournament has been honoured to be a European Tour-sanctioned event. This is recognition of how the status of our charity Pro-Am has grown.

Now in our sixth year The Invitational has been successful in building a base of select international brands as Premier Partners, Official Partners and Support Partners and we are all looking forward to another outstanding occasion at the magnificent Yas Links.

We are proud and delighted that the Emirates Airline Invitational has progressed to become one of the most prestigious and popular Pro-Ams in world golf.

I thank all the Tour Professionals, who have kindly volunteered to play our event despite their busy schedules during The European Tour’s Middle East Swing, the celebrities who have eagerly accepted our invitation, and our all-important spectators.

The success and reputation of the Invitational has been built on the fun aspect of the event. It’s not merely the calibre of the players that gives so much pleasure to the spectators, it’s the friendly fun they bring to the event and their interaction with the galleries. The Invitational has earned the reputation of

being a competitive yet fun event that’s played in the true spirit of the game as it was meant to be.

I’m immensely proud of the money this event has generated for good causes over the years and the $409,160 raised at the 2011 tournament was quite an achievement. We’ve set a target of $500,000 for this year so I hope everyone involved in the event will help us to reach and even surpass that total.

I would like to thank Tournament Director, James Bowring, for his expertise and dedication in organising the event with the experienced guidance of The European Tour.

I wish defending Champion Retief Goosen and the world-class field the best of luck and I look forward to another wonderful Invitational.

ABDuLLAH AL NABOODAHWELCOME FROM

Abdullah Al Naboodah

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The Emirates Airline Invitational will this year be a fitting end to what promises to be a week of golf in Abu Dhabi that will be nothing short of gigantic proportions. With the world’s best only days before contesting the annual Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the cream of Europe go on show at our superb, and very challenging, Yas Links course.

In Abu Dhabi we make no secret of our golfing ambitions. We now have a golf tourism proposition to be reckoned with on the international stage and this is evidenced by the fact that no less an authority than the International Association of Golf Tour Operators has voted the emirate ‘Golf Destination of the Year Africa & Gulf States’ for 2012.

Those of you visiting Abu Dhabi for the first time are taking in our only Links course yet have the opportunity to also discover parkland and ocean championship-ready courses, a down-town city centre facility, a unique 18-hole ‘championship’ sand course and a country course nestling in picturesque surroundings in our heritage heartland of Al Ain. I hope this portfolio entices you to return and experience more of Golf In Abu Dhabi.

For the enthusiastic golfer, we are also working very closely with a number of leading stakeholders to offer competitive packages so that you can get the most out of your golfing stay in the emirate – sampling a very different playing experience every day in a typical six-day stay.

ADTAWELCOME FROM

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Mubarak Al MuhairiDirector GeneralAbu Dhabi Tourism Authority

Let me end by thanking Abdullah Al Naboodah, who has been such a stalwart in assisting the development of golf throughout the Emirates, for his solid support and I hope everyone – whether spectator or player – leaves the Invitational and their visit to Abu Dhabi with great memories and a desire to return.

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THE EuROpEAN TOuRWELCOME FROM

Welcome to the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted

by Abdullah Al Naboodah at the magnificent Yas Links, Abu Dhabi, for a day of fun yet competitive golf played in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere in superb surroundings.

This is the sixth running of the Invitational and we are both pleased and proud that the event is now an official European Tour Sanctioned tournament. We are happy to assist Abdullah Al Naboodah and we recognise the huge support he has given The Tour and our Members over recent years.

The Tour is grateful for the immense commitment the UAE and the Middle East has given us and the fact that the Emirates Airline Invitational has become an integral part of our Desert Swing acknowledges the stature of this one-day Pro-Am.

It also demonstrates the enormous respect our Members have for Abdullah Al Naboodah and why they are always eager to play the tournament.

The support of Emirates Airline, who became the Title Partner last year, is invaluable for the ongoing success of the event, along with the other Premier

Partners and Partners. We wish Abdullah, our Members, the amateurs and the spectators a fun and friendly and enjoyable day at Yas Links.

Keith WatersChief Operating OfficerThe European Tour

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Star Spotting

Goosen Flying High

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RETIEF Goosen got

his 2011 season off to the perfect start by winning the Pros event at last year’s Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, as England cricket legend Michael Vaughan and playing partner Ross McGowan scooped the Pro-Am two-man Team prize.

The Goose warmed up for his first outing on The European Tour in 2011 – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – in stunning style, shooting a round of eight under par 64 that included seven birdies and a scintillating eagle at the at the 11th with just one bogey at the 17th. The South African entered the event only a few days before it got underway and had

never played Kyle Phillips’ superb Yas Links course before. But after experiencing at first hand the unique and much-lauded atmosphere generated by the region’s most prestigious Pro-Am he was more than happy he decided to take part in the event.

“It was my first round here so

maybe that was a good thing – I didn’t know where all the trouble was,” said the two-time US Open champion who beat Frenchman Thomas Levet and Swedish Dubai resident Henrik Stenson by two strokes in the Pros event. “I just tried to hit good shots, played solid golf, putted well and hit a

“It was my first round here so maybe that was a good thing – I didn’t know where all the trouble was,” said the two-time uS Open champion who beat Frenchman Thomas Levet and Swedish Dubai resident Henrik Stenson by two strokes in the pros event. “I just tried to hit good shots, played solid golf, putted well and hit a lot of shots close to the pin. The course obviously suited my game quite nicely. I was a late entry so I think I made the right decision to play. – RETIEF GOOSEN

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lot of shots close to the pin. The course obviously suited my game quite nicely. I was a late entry so I think I made the right decision to play.

“Yas Links is a beautiful layout, it hasn’t been open very long but it’s in really great shape. It can get tough – when the wind blows hard round here it can get really difficult. The greens are also obviously very sloping so they can be very tricky.

“I think Abdullah has done a really good job with The Invitational. For a Pro-Am event it’s great prize money and it’s great for the charities to benefit from this, too.”

The charity auction held at the star-studded Gala Dinner following the event raised $220,000 as key figures from the world of sport, commerce and entertainment showed their generosity to the event’s three key charities – the

Future Centre for Special Needs, the Make A Wish Foundation UAE and Brest Friends UAE – while $150,000 of the Invitational’s $500,000 prize fund will go to the preferred charities of the leading three players.

Ryder Cup StarOne of the most hotly contested

auction items was a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to play golf anywhere in the world with Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher and 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, with all flights and accommodation included.

Tournament Host Abdullah Al Naboodah won it with a bid of $45,000 before donating the prize to his good friend and former Al Ahli FC manager David O’Leary.

However, there was to be a further twist as O’Leary, in an act of overwhelming generosity, ‘re-donated’ it to 12-year-old Dhruv

Nair. The talented youngster, who secured a spot in the field via the Golden Ticket Qualifying Series, had put in a hugely impressive performance in the Pro-Am section of the event to finish just one stroke back from the winners alongside his playing partner Pablo Larrazabal on 11 under par.

“This is amazing, the best day of my life,” said Dhruv. “I really enjoyed playing with the pros at Yas Links and I played really well, my best round ever.”

Ex-England cricket captain Vaughan and European Tour partner McGowan dovetailed wonderfully to shoot 12-under in the hotly contested Pro-Am.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Vaughan, who headed an elite list of celebrity competitors that included former footballers Ruud Gullit, Jamie Redknapp and O’Leary as well as fellow ex-cricketer Allan Lamb and UK radio

Emirates Invitational host, Abdullah Al Naboodah, takes on the hole in one challenge as his team mate Lee Westwood looks on.

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personality, DJ Spoony.“Abdullah has done an amazing

job with the event and on behalf of all of the amateurs, the teams and the sponsors, I’d like thank him for inviting us. We’re all very privileged to play here on a terrific golf course like Yas Links.”

World Class FieldHost Abdullah Al Naboodah was

delighted with the fifth running of what has become one of the most eagerly anticipated Pro-Ams in the world, which featured a world class field that included the likes of then World Number One Lee Westwood as well as Al Naboodah Group Ambassadors McDowell and Fisher and a host of European Tour stars.

“The event just keeps on getting better,” said Abdullah. “Having Emirates Airline as Title Partner and the support of our other Partners has helped make this the best Invitational to date.

“Yas Links Golf Club not only provided the perfect setting and relaxed atmosphere we set out to achieve but the course presented a true test of golf. The Abu Dhabi location was perfect.

“What makes this event truly great are the players themselves. I’m honoured by the exceptional standard of professionals in the field and to have the defending champion and World Number One, Lee Westwood, pass on the title to two-time Major winner Retief Goosen speaks volumes on how the event has grown in such a short time.”

Now officially sanctioned by The European Tour, the 2012 event is set to be more captivating than ever as some of the world’s finest players once again gather at Yas

Links Golf Club. Goosen, a 14-time winner on

The European Tour, is back to defend his title this year having started the season in fine form with a third place finish on home soil at the Africa Open and a shared second-place at the Volvo Golf Champions last week.

McDowell, Fisher and fellow Al

Naboodah Group Ambassador Steve Webster are also primed and ready for action this week.

McDowell struggled to adjust to his newfound status as a global golf superstar last season, having hit the headlines with a spectacular victory at the US Open at Pebble Beach in 2010 followed by a starring role in Europe’s thrilling victory over the USA in The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

But the Ulsterman returned to form in the closing stages of the season, so expect a strong showing.

Fisher also enjoyed a stellar season in 2010, winning the 3 Irish Open and making his Ryder Cup debut alongside McDowell in Wales.

He, too, endured a tough time last year. Now refreshed and ready for action the big-hitting Fisher has the game to do well around Yas Links if he can overcome the putting problems

“Abdullah has done an amazing job with the event and on behalf of all of the amateurs, the teams and the sponsors, I’d like thank him for inviting us. We’re all very privileged to play here on a terrific golf course like Yas Links.”– MICHAEL VAuGHAN

Winning team; Michael Vaughan and Ross McGowan are presented with their prizes by host Abdullah Al Naboodah.

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that blighted him in 2011. Webster will be looking forward to kick-starting his season here at Yas Links after a relatively lean couple of years on The European Tour.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia joins the field this week after a stunning return to form last season saw him claim two European Tour titles on the bounce at the Andalucia Masters and the Castello Masters.

The Race to DubaiAnother player who enjoyed a

fine season last year set to tee it up here at Yas Links is Simon Dyson. The Englishman bagged two victories, at the Irish Open and the KLM Open along with a string of top ten finishes, which saw him finish in the top ten on The Race to Dubai for the second time.

Emirates Airline Invitational regular Dyson is relishing his return to Yas Links having thoroughly enjoyed his first experience of the course last year.

“The layout at Yas Links is lovely, it’s a really fantastic course,” says Dyson. “The Middle East needed something like this and they’ve done a fantastic job with it.

“Abdullah always does a great job with the event - it gets better every year doesn’t it? He’s always thinking of ways to improve it and he seems to manage to take it up a level every year.”

Ryder Cup CaptainsDubai-based Swede Henrik

Stenson is also back for this year’s event having made his debut last year. “It was a really nice day,” says Stenson. “It’s

slightly different from a regular Tour event – relaxed and very good fun and it’s for charity so there’s a lot of different reasons why we’re all here. It’s a nice course in a beautiful spot.”

Two-time Major Champion and 2012 European Ryder Cup Captain José Maria Olazábal also joins the field this time, as does 2010 European Captain and eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie.

Add into the mix, the likes of rising stars Rhys Davies, Chris Wood and Tom Lewis; along with Ryder Cup players such as Paul McGinley, Thomas Levet, David Howell, Ignacio Garrido, Oliver Wilson, Soren Hanson and Peter Hanson, as well as a host of The European Tour’s top performers, and you have the recipe for a great show here at the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah. n

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Sergio Garcia

Simon Dyson José Maria Olazábal

Colin Montgomerie Tom Lewis

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THE Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by

Abdullah Al Naboodah is a great- fun-yet-competitive day of golf featuring some of The European Tour’s best players as well as a number of top celebrities and international businessmen.

It’s renowned as the most prestigious one-day Pro-Am in world golf but at the heart of the event lies a serious goal – to raise as much money for charity as possible.

Last year’s tournament set quite a benchmark. The glittering array of guests at the Gala Dinner following the day’s play dug deep into their pockets and gave generously to raise US$220,000 at the Charity Auction.

There was also a silent auction which brought in $5,115 and further donations totalling $34,045, which, when added to the $150,000 donated from the tournament’s $500,000 prize fund, gave a grand total of $409,160.

This was divided by the 2011 charities: The Future Centre for Special Needs, the Make-A-Wish-Foundation, Brest Friends, the Voss Foundation and the UK Charity, Jude Brady Foundation.

It’s certainly a tough act to

follow but the tournament organisers aim to beat that and have set a target of $500,000 for this year’s event. The official charities for the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational are: Friends of Cancer Patients UAE (FOCP), UAE Down Syndrome Association (UAE DSA), The Tour Players Foundation and the Special Care Centre Abu Dhabi.

The event is already off to a flying start in chasing the ambitious target. The hugely successful Golden Ticket Qualifying Series, presented by Carpetland, saw players all around the world compete in 31 events for the chance to tee it up alongside the stars of The European Tour in the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational, raised AED64,500 ($17,559).

There will again be an auction at the Gala Dinner and further donations can be made via the tournament website: www.emiratesairlineinvitational.com or by emailing [email protected].

Friends of Cancer Patients UAEEstablished in 1999, FOCP is a volunteer-based foundation which provides financial and emotional support to cancer patients across

the UAE. Founded by a group of dynamic and visionary women, FOCP aims to implement change in the UAE community through progressive thinking, education and awareness about cancer.

FOCP believe strongly in programmes that encourage and promote early detection. To date the organisation has helped over 500 sufferers across the UAE. www.FOCP.ae

UAE Down Syndrome AssociationThe UAE DSA improves the quality of life and offers support to individuals with Down Syndrome and their carers within the

THE CHARITABLE MISSION OF THE INVITATIONAL

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UAE. The organisation, started by a group of volunteers and specialists in the field, raises awareness and educates people about down syndrome and aims to integrate sufferers into society, developing programmes to enable them to highlight their strengths and lead fulfilling lives. www.uaedsa.ae

The Tour Players’ Foundation The Tour Players’ Foundation is the charitable foundation of The European Tour. Its vision is to make an inspirational impact on charity through international professional golf.

Through the unique and direct

involvement of world class golf professionals the Foundation fundraises for, and makes donations and grants to voluntary bodies and charities. [email protected]

Special Care Centre Abu Dhabi The Special Care Centre is an educational facility for students with special needs which, over the past 18 years, has served some 350 children. The non-profit organisation, which relies heavily on donations and volunteers, is currently raising money for a new campus through the ‘Donate A Brick’ initiative. www.donateabrick.org

Jude Brady Foundation (Official UK Charity)Jude Brady Foundation is once again the Official UK Charity of the Emirates Airline Invitational. Set up in 2008 in memory of Peter and Lynn Brady’s second son Jude, who was stillborn in 2006, the Foundation’s main priorities are to raise awareness of stillbirth and neonatal death, to raise funds for child-related good causes, and to help reduce the number of babies dying each year. The UK Golden Ticket Qualifying event at Brocket Hall for the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational raised over £12,000 for the Jude Brady Foundation.

S C O T L A N D, 174 4 . W I T H A S I M P L E

BELIEF IN FAIRNESS, A GROUP OF MEN

E S TA B L I S H E D T H E R U L E S O F G O L F.

B A S ED ON HONE S T Y A ND INTEG R IT Y,

T H E R U L E S H A V E P R E S E R V E D T H E

CHALLENGE OF THE GAME FOR MORE

T H A N 2 5 0 Y E A R S . A N Y P R O P O S E D

CHANGE IS ALWAYS ANALYSED AGAINST

THE ABIDING PRINCIPLE: “IS IT FOR THE

GOOD OF THE GAME?” IF IT IS, THE RULES

ARE AMENDED, THUS STRENGTHENING

T H E U N I V E R S A L R EG U L AT I O N S FO R

P L AY I N G T H E S P O R T W E C A L L G O L F.

R U L E S O F G O L F

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE IIOYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE II

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GMAC’S BACk ON TRACk

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Q: How difficult was it not to win a title last season having won three, including a Major the year before?GM: I learned a lot last year about myself and what it is to be a Major champion and how to deal with it. It’s a slightly different mindset. It’s the expectation levels. We don’t ever anticipate living out our dreams and I lived two of them in the space of three months. I was so distracted early in the season, I couldn’t get my

head round my golf swing and that led to technical difficulties in the summer. Eventually, I managed to streamline and strip all the rubbish out and got back to focusing on the important things in the second half of the year… but it was a steep learning curve.

Q: Was there a sense of you putting too much pressure on yourself?GM: 2010 was always going to be pretty tough to emulate.

I came into the year trying my best not to judge myself on 2010 standards. A lot of the pre-US Open hype got to me a little bit; I spent the first six months of 2011 living in 2010.

Everyone wanted to talk about it; it was very tough for me to move on with my career. It’s been a real learning experience getting over that and through that, and start to set my goals again and look to the future about what I want to achieve in my career.

GRAEME McDowell enjoyed the season of his career in 2010, becoming the first Northern Irishman to win the uS Open and then playing a starring role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Celtic Manor, when he secured the crucial winning point from his anchorman match with Hunter Mahan.It was always going to be a tough act to follow and his results suffered as he dealt with the seismic shift in attention and expectation

levels that becoming a Major champion brings. But a strong end to the season saw him finish third at both the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the WGC-HSBC Champions as well as putting in impressive performances at The Barclays Singapore Open and the season-ending Dubai World Championship. Having now had some time to get used to his new status as one of golf’s superstars the Saaed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group player is ready to rediscover his best form in 2012.

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Q: Do you feel like you’ve come to terms with being a Major champion and Ryder Cup superstar now? GM: Since about August I’ve been playing a lot better. I struggled technically with my game as well a little bit last year but it was probably more mental than anything. I learned a lot about myself.

When you’re on the inside looking out it’s very difficult to get a grasp of what you’ve achieved. I look back at

Pebble Beach and how much of an out-of-body experience that was for me coming down the stretch and after I won and spent the next 12 months as US Open champion - it was surreal.

Still when people call me a Major champion it’s pinch yourself stuff. I guess that’s a good thing because you want to stay motivated and you want to drive yourself and have that desire to achieve more of that. At some point in

my life I’m sure I’ll put my feet up and sip on a nice glass of red wine and reflect on what a fun career I’ve had but, hopefully, I’ll add a few more chapters between now and then.

Right now I feel that I’m in the place I was going into 2010 or the place I was a few weeks before the US Open I’m very comfortable with my game and I’m feeling good. I always enjoy playing here and the weather is perfect for playing golf.

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Q: How do you explain such a small country as Northern Ireland producing three Major champions in yourself, Rory Mclroy and Darren Clarke within a 12-month period?GM: It’s a bit strange. Northern Ireland’s a pretty small place of 1.6 million people and the probability of having three Major champions in the space of seven Majors – it’s astronomical figures.

It’s tough to explain apart from maybe that a belief mechanism kicks in. I’m sure Rory watched me win the US Open. We’re very good friends, we play together a lot and he regularly takes a few quid off me in practice.He sees me winning the

US Open and I’m sure that subconscious belief kicks in with him. He should have won the Masters and a few months later he won the US Open in style. The belief kicks in and I’m sure with Darren, when he did the job at The Open, the belief kicked in with him a bit, too, having watched myself and Rory do it.

Q: You got your first taste of the Yas Links course at last year’s Emirates Airline Invitational – what were your impressions of the course ? GM: Kyle Phillips has created something pretty special and unique. I think authentic is probably a good word for it. He really has achieved what

he set out to do – creating a genuine links course in the desert. Sometimes you can close your eyes and think you’re on Kingsbarns, the way the greens roll, the way they’re shaped. I felt very much at home with the wind blowing last year – it was great out there. I got off to a good start – was 7-under-par through 13 holes – and then the jetlag kind of hit me with about five holes to go and I ended up finishing 5-under.

It was a fun day, it’s a great event that Abdullah and the Al Naboodah Group put on and I really enjoy it. With Emirates and all the other great sponsors they’ve got they just keep raising the bar for the tournament every year. n

proud creators of the Emirates Airline Invitational website

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FISHER BACk ON THE GLORY TRAILENGLAND’S Ross Fisher is planning his 2012 campaign with two things on his mind – make the European Ryder Cup Team and get back into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking. He struggled with his putter last year, which led to an uncharacteristic downturn in results, but after a well-earned month-long break with wife Jo and young children Eve and Harry, he’s raring to go for the new season. “I’m feeling refreshed after a nice break over Christmas and New Year and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there,” says the 31-year-old Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group-sponsored player. “We went to our house at Lake Nona in America for four weeks, which was lovely, and a great way to recharge the batteries.“I feel ready for the new season. I’m wearing different clothes and using different clubs now after switching to Nike so I’m looking forward to that. I got some good practice in over the winter break and so far the new clubs feel really good, although you only really find out how good they are once you start playing competitively.”

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Fisher first hit the golfing headlines when he led the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic – and a field that included then World Number One Tiger Woods – at the halfway stage after shooting 65-65. He finished fifth and, having proved he could mix it with the best, a star was born.

It wasn’t long before the former Challenge Tour player picked up his first European Tour title at the KLM Open in Holland later that year.

The Challenge Tour graduate went on to claim titles at the 2008 European Open, the 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship and the 2010 3 Irish Open before making his Ryder Cup debut on Colin Montgomerie’s victorious

Ryder Cup Team at Celtic Manor, where he formed a deadly partnership with three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington – the pair winning both of the matches they played together.

“I’ve enjoyed some great times since I joined The European Tour,” says Fisher. “Winning my first title in Holland, and chipping in on the final hole to cap the victory in the European Open were pretty special. But nothing comes close to the euphoria of playing

in my first Ryder Cup and helping Europe win back the Cup with a 14½ -13½ victory.”

After hitting such heights in 2010 Fisher set out last season with high hopes but his struggles on the green meant, despite posting some stellar rounds, he was unable to string four together when it mattered most and he failed to get a win on the board for the first time in five seasons.

But he worked hard on his putting all season, enlisting the help of short game specialist Mark Roe and even spending some time with Dave Stockton Jnr at the US PGA Championship.

Having switched caddies to veteran Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey

in 2010 Fisher reverted to his previous long-time bagman and good friend Adam Marrow midway through last season.

Fisher reveals: “Adam has also been helping me with my putting. He said to me recently, ‘As soon as you start holing some putts you’re going to win because you’re hitting the ball the best I’ve ever seen you hit it. From tee to green you’re playing great – your short game’s really sharp and your bunker play is world class. As soon at the flat stick starts

going and the putts start falling you’re going to be seriously contending and winning tournaments.’

“We’re all in the same boat where that’s concerned. This game all comes down to holing putts – that’s what wins you tournaments and I’ve been working really hard on that side of things, so hopefully it will start to pay off.

“Last season is gone now. It was disappointing but I’m looking ahead to this year now. I learned a lot over the last 12

“My primary goal for the year is to make The Ryder Cup Team. It was an amazing experience being part of it all at Celtic Manor two years ago and once you’ve experienced it, you don’t want to miss one. My other goal is to get back in the top 50 on the World Ranking so I’ll be doing everything I can to make that happen.” – ROSS FISHER

P A G E 3 9P A G E 3 8

months so I’ve just got to look forward now. I feel like my game is in good shape so it’s just a case of fine-tuning and getting out there trying to win golf tournaments.”

Fisher’s big-hitting game is well suited to the lengthy desert courses – as his record of never having finished lower than 13th in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic proves – and he knows the Desert Swing represents a great chance to get 2012 off to a flying start.

“The Desert Swing is three big, important weeks and three weeks that I’ve always really enjoyed – especially Dubai – so I hope I can get off to a good start to the season,” he says. “My primary goal for the year is to make The Ryder Cup Team. It was an amazing experience being part of it all at Celtic

Manor two years ago and once you’ve experienced it, you don’t want to miss one. My other goal is to get back in the top 50 on the World Ranking so I’ll be doing everything I can to make that happen.”

‘Exciting Invitational’Having played in the Emirates

Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah every year since 2008, Fisher is thrilled to be returning in the midst of the Desert Swing to a day he considers one of the most enjoyable he has played.

“The Invitational is an exciting tournament to be a part of,” he says. “Abdullah does such a lot for golf in the UAE and for golf in general. You’ve only got to look at the players who attend the event to see how much the event has gone from

strength to strength. When I started playing the tournament four years ago when it was held at Dubai Creek it was the Abdullah Al Naboodah Pro-Am, the fact that it’s now got the title sponsorship of Emirates Airline speaks volumes about how much it has grown in a relatively short time.

“ It’s now received Official European Tour sanctioning which is a great honour and a mark of how highly the tournament is regarded.

“There’s a fantastic field again this year and I’m sure it’ll be another great day. Hopefully, we’ll raise a lot of money for charity as that’s what it’s all about.”

A winning performance here at Yas Links could prove just the tonic Fisher needs to get back on the winning trail. n

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P A G E 4 1

AS well as the host of top European Tour players and leading figures from business, commerce and the media the field for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah also features an all-star cast of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment.

Star Spotting

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LEGENDARY Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit has confirmed his place in the field for the second year running. Gullit, who enjoyed a distinguished career as both player and manager, is a talented golfer and a regular competitor at Pro-Ams and celebrity golf events around the world. The 7-handicapper finished in a share of 15th place along with playing partner Thomas Aiken in his debut here last year after the pair combined to shoot six under par 66 and he’s relishing his return to Yas Links.

“I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Emirates Airline Invitational again – last year’s event was a great day out for all the competitors and spectators and a lot of money was raised for charity,” said the former European and World Player of the Year who works as an analyst on television channels, Sky Sports and Al Jazeera Sports. “Yas Links is a beautiful course. It reminds me of another Kyle Phillips masterpiece at Kingsbarns in Scotland so I can’t wait to play it again.”

Gullit enjoyed a distinguished career as a player during the 1980s and 1990s. His club career took in spells with HFC Haarlem, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea. He went on to manage Newcastle United, Feyenord, Los Angeles Galaxy and Terek Trozny.

Ruud Gullit

EX-England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, who won the Pro-Am section of the 2011 Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah, is back at Yas Links to defend his title. Vaughan put in an impressive performance alongside European Tour playing partner Ross McGowan at this year’s event to produce a winning total of 12 under par 60.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Vaughan. “Abdullah has done wonderful job with the event and all the amateurs who take part are privileged to play on such a terrific course as Yas Links. Ross proved to be the perfect playing partner and I’m looking forward to defending my title.”

Vaughan forged a reputation as one of the best batsmen in the game during his career in cricket – he was officially ranked No.1 in the world following the 2002/2003 Ashes series when he scored 633 runs including three centuries.

He was also regarded as a shrewd and popular Captain of the England team who led the side to their famous victory in the 2005 Ashes series, 18 years after England’s last win in the contest. A golf nut, Vaughan enjoyed the experience of a lifetime when he caddied for Lee Westwood during the par 3 contest at the 2010 Masters Tournament.

MichaelVaughan

SIR IAN BOTHAM makes his Emirates Airline Invitational debut at this year’s event. Nicknamed ‘Beefy’ Botham is known as one of the greatest all-rounders ever to play the game, hitting 14 centuries and taking an English record 383 wickets in Test cricket.

The 1981 Ashes will forever be remembered as ‘Botham’s Ashes’ when, having resigned the captaincy after the second Test, Botham took the seemingly lost series by the scruff of the neck and put in a phenomenal set of performances with bat and ball to bring his team back from the brink and secure an unlikely 3-1 victory. Not surprisingly he was named ‘Man of the Series’.

Botham is as much known for his tireless charity fundraising as he is for his legacy as a cricketer. Since 1985 he has completed 12 long distance walks, including several taking in the length of Britain – Lands End to John o’Groats – and has raised more than £12million for good causes. He was knighted in 2007 for his services to cricket and leukemia research.

A regular at pro-ams such as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Botham is looking forward to his first outing at Yas Links.

SirIan

Botham

P A G E 4 3

MANCHESTER United legend Andrew Cole makes his Emirates Airline Invitational debut this year. During his heyday in the 1990s Cole was one of the most prolific goalscorers in the English Premier League and is second only to Alan Shearer in the all-time list having netted 187 league goals.

He played for a host of clubs during a distinguished career but is most commonly known for a hugely successful spell at Manchester United where he won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two Charity Shields, one Intercontinental Cup and one Champions League trophy.

Cole only took up golf three years ago after retiring from football but he’s already down to a 13 handicap and is excited, if a little apprehensive, about making what will be his first competitive appearance in a golf event.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Cole who gained 15 international caps for England, scoring one goal.“It’s not my usual ball game so I’m sure I’ll be a nervous wreck on the first tee but I’ll give it my best shot. I used to play football in front of thousands and it never bothered me but this is completely different. I’ve got lots of friends in the UAE so I’ve played Yas Links lots of times and it’s one of my favourite courses in the world.”

AndrewCole

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ENGLAND cricket legend Allan Lamb is back for his second appearance in the Emirates Airline Invitational having combined wonderfully well with his professional playing partner Richie Ramsay last year to shoot six under par 66.

“I had a fantastic time at last year’s event,” said Lamb. “It’s so well organised from start to finish and there’s great banter between the players. Richie Ramsay was a great partner and he taught me a thing or two during our round, which was nice. I loved the Yas Links course and can’t wait to have another crack at it.”

‘Lamby’ was born in South Africa to British parents and played Test cricket for England after his home country were banned from the International game due to their apartheid regime.

Lamb, who captained the England side three times, was an excellent batsman, scoring 4,656 runs in Test cricket during the 1980s and 1990s with 14 centuries. He also scored 33,502 first class runs, with 89 centuries.

He played domestic cricket for both Western Province in South Africa and Northamptonshire in the UK before eventually retiring from the game in 1995 and going on to forge a successful career as a television analyst. Lamb plays off a handicap of 14.

AllanLamb

GOLF mad DJ Spoony is a regular here at the Emirates Airline Invitational and having shot two under par 70 with Mark Foster last year he’s raring to go again this year. “It’s a fantastic event to be invited to and I must say I was tremendously impressed with the Yas Links golf course,” said Spoony – real name Jonathan Joseph. “It’s very reminiscent in places to Kingsbarns in Scotland. You can definitely see some similarities, it’s a brilliant course. It’s a special event. Coming out to the emirates is brilliant. It’s a great competition and a great field – one of the best fields ever assembled for a one-day event – on a beautiful golf course.”

Spoony, who has worked as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 and Five Live in the UK, began playing 11 years ago after a lot of hard work and practice has become a single figure handicapper. He’s good friends with Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and DJ’d for the Englishman at his wedding in 2007 before caddying for him at the Masters Tournament a year later. He was even an ‘unofficial’ member of Sir Nick Faldo’s backroom team at The Ryder Cup in Valhalla in 2008.

Spoony showed his golfing credentials when, in 2009, he won the Fourball Alliance event at the Gary Player Invitational at Fancourt as part of a team that included Emirates Invitational host Abdullah Al Naboodah.

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Golden Ticket Qualifying Series presented by CarpetlandSUCH is the popularity of the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah that a total of 1,116 people took part in the hugely successful Golden Ticket Qualifying Series presented by Carpetland.

There were 31 events across five different countries – Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and even the UK as golfers around the world competed for the chance to play in the Golden Ticket Grand Final where a place for one adult and one junior in the Emirates Airline Invitational field was up for grabs.

As well as capturing the imagination of golfers around the world the Middle East leg of the series raised almost AED65,000 for the Friends of Cancer Patients charity with the UK event raising more than £12,000 for the Jude Brady Foundation.

Marketing Director for Carpetland Shahriar Khodjasteh commented: “The uptake in the series has been extraordinary and to have our preferred charity ‘Friends of Cancer Patients’ benefit to the tune of AED64,500 is just fantastic. I would like to thank James Bowring and his team for executing each event so professionally and representing our brand all over the GCC.”

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THE Golden Ticket Grand Final took place on a beautifully manicured Championship course at Yas Links Golf Club on Tuesday January 24th with 63 adults and juniors, who had all secured their places through one of the 31 qualifying events, battling it out for the chance to line up alongside the likes of Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell here at the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah.

After a wonderful day of superb quality golf in testing, windy conditions 15-handicapper Burhan Mohamed, an Emirates Golf Club member who had made it through to the Grand Final through the EGF qualifier at Yas Links, clinched the adult Golden Ticket with a net 68 to beat Robert Webb by four strokes, while Paul Barbone was a stroke further back.

“I’ve played Yas Links many times and it’s my favourite course in the world,” said Burhan. “I’ve played many great golf courses like Carnoustie and Turnberry but Yas Links is the best. I told myself today, ‘just keep it in play’ and fortunately I managed to do just that. It was tough but it was a great day and I’m so pleased to make it into the Invitational.”

Jakub Hrinda was the recipient of the junior Golden Ticket after a stellar performance over nine holes saw him shoot a net 31.5, gross 36. Joe Madin finished runner-up for the juniors while Erik Hartzuiker was third.

“I’m really looking forward

to coming back to Yas Links to play in the Invitational, it’s a dream come true,” said 12-handicapper Jakub who won through to the Grand Final via his local club qualifier at Doha Golf Club, Qatar, and was cheered on by his proud parents at Yas Links .

“The course was in fantastic condition and it was a really close contest. I can’t believe I’m going to be playing alongside some of the best players in the world.”

Jakub’s performance would have won him the Junior Gross prize but as he had already secured top honours with his

Golden Ticket, Sara Turfail picked up Best Gross with 42. David Gavans shot 80 to win the adult’s Best Gross.

Rita Englebrecht took the Best Lady prize after a net 78 while in the adult section Ratan Singh claimed the Longest Drive and Paul Barbone produced a fabulous shot to pick up Nearest the Pin on the eighth hole.

In the junior section Nearest the Pin prizes were also awarded to Julia Alhemoud for her shot on the fourth and Hrithik Khunrana’s shot on the eighth to round off a memorable day of golf.

HRINDA AND MOHAMED’S GOLDEN MOMENT

James Bowring, Emirates Airline Tournament Director, with junior Golden Ticket qualifier Jakub Hrinda, adult qualifier Burhan Mohamed and Carpetland Marketing Director, Shahriar khodjasteh.

P A G E 5 3

THE Golden Ticket UK qualifier saw the larger than life Raphael Roberts beaming from ear to ear after winning a place in the Grand Final and the golfing trip of a lifetime to the UAE.

The eagerly anticipated event, organised by Worldwide Golf magazine, which took place in the stunning surroundings of The Golf Club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, England on Monday August 22nd, 2011, was hugely over-subscribed with a ballot required to trim down the field to the maximum permitted 120 golfers.

Among the field in the stroke play event were celebrities such as radio DJ Spoony and ex-Celtic and West Ham goalkeeper Allen McKnight while competitors were also treated to a breathtaking and highly entertaining show by renowned trick shot specialist Kevin Carpenter who was previously a pro at Riffa Views Golf Club, Bahrain.

With some impressive scores being returned it was going to take a phenomenal

performance to take the considerable spoils and 13-handicapper Roberts pulled one out of the bag with a wonderful round of net 69.

“This feels absolutely tremendous,” said an ecstatic Roberts, who flew to the UAE on Emirates Airlines to compete in the Golden Ticket Grand Final last week and has been invited to today’s event as a VIP guest despite not winning a coveted Golden Ticket.

Charity Auction“I’ve been to Dubai before but

I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I watched The Invitational on TV last year so it’s great to actually be here.”

The event, which also saw competitors give generously in a charity auction, was in aid of the Invitational’s official UK charity,

the Jude Brady Foundation, which raises much-needed funds and awareness to help combat stillbirth and neonatal death. The Foundation’s founder Peter Brady said: “The Jude Brady Foundation is very honoured to be the chosen charity for the Emirates Airline Invitational UK qualifier I personally feel we could not be associated with a better or more prominent partner. Not only has it been the vehicle to raise in excess of £12,000 but the profile of our charity has risen significantly as a result, too.

“I would like to thank the Invitational’s Tournament Director James Bowring and Worldwide Golf for putting this event together and being kind enough to involve the Jude Brady Foundation in their plans.” n

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Sergio Garcia 8Simon Dyson 10peter Hanson 13Graeme McDowell 16Nicolas Colsaerts 20Thomas Aiken 22Michael Hoey 25George Coetzee 26Grégory Havret 27Richie Ramsay 28Rafael Cabrera-Bello 30Mark Foster 32David Lynn 35Jamie Donaldson 38Fredik Andersson-Hed 39Johan Edfors 40Shane Lowry 41Retief Goosen 42David Horsey 43Thomas Levet 45Grégory Bourdy 47Thorbjorn Olesen 48Ross Fisher 52Felipe Aguilar 54Rhys Davies 56peter Lawrie 58Stephen Gallacher 61

European Tour pros confirmed for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah are listed below with their final 2011 Race to Dubai ranking.

Steve Webster 62Richard Green 65Tom Lewis 66Marcus Fraser 68Richard Finch 74James kingston 75Thongchai Jaidee 85Chris Wood 89Danny Willett 91Jeev Milkha Singh 94Oliver Fisher 95Bradley Dredge 96Ignacio Gariddo 97Ricardo Gonzalez 99Graeme Storm 101Colin Montgomerie 102David Howell 103Soren Hansen 109Marc Warren 114Oliver Wilson 130Henrik Stenson 136Tommy Fleetwood 148Ross McGowan 151paul McGinley 152José Maria Olazábal 169Michael Campbell 181Ben Curtis N/A

EuROpEAN TOuR COMpETITORS

P A G E 5 9

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Steve StrickerAdam ScottRory McIlroyLee WestwoodLuke Donald

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SERGIO Garcia recaptured the form that once took him to a career-high second on the Official World Golf Ranking with back-to-back victories on home soil last October to help him to an eighth place finish on The Race to Dubai.

The Spaniard had already posted four top tens before he cruised to an 11-stroke win at the Castello Masters and then produced a gritty one-stroke victory over compatriot Miguel Angel Jimenez at the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.

In addition to ten victories on The European Tour, Garcia has won seven times on the US PGA Tour including the 2008 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Garcia turned professional in 1999 and finished runner-up at the US PGA Championship on his way to being crowned the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

SERGIO GARCIADate of Birth: January 9, 1980

Birthplace: Castellon, SpainHeight: 5’ 10”

Career victories: 20

SIMON Dyson enjoyed superb year on The European Tour last season with two victories and six additional top tens.

Dyson picked up his fifth European Tour title with a one shot victory over Richard Green at the Irish Open in July and two months later won the KLM Open in Holland for the third time in his career, one shot clear of compatriot David Lynn.

He ended the year 10th on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €1,694,779.

The Englishman won his first European Tour titles in 2006 at the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open and the KLM Open and had another double haul of victories in 2009 with his second win at the KLM Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

He ended the 2009 season a career best eighth place on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €1,807,753.

SIMON DYSONDate of Birth: April 24, 1973Birthplace: Worksop, England

Height: 6’ 1”Career victories: 33

2011 Race To Dubai ranking: 8

2011 Race to Dubai ranking: 10

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PETER Hanson had an exceptional season on The European Tour in 2010 with two wins which secured him 17th place on The Race to Dubai and a debut berth in The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

The Swede won his third European Tour title at the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca which put him on cusp of the automatic qualification for The Ryder Cup. Top tens followed at the Alstom Open de France and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and, knowing he needed to win again to secure his place, he won the Czech Open in a play-off in late August.

Hanson won his first European Tour title in 2005 at he Open de Espana and three years later won the SAS Masters on home soil.

Last year Hanson posted ten top tens – including runner-up at the Volvo Golf Champions to end the season 13th on The Race to Dubai.

pETER HANSONDate of Birth: October 4, 1977Birthplace: Svedala, Sweden


GRAEME McDowell became the first European to win the US Open in 40 years when he produced an inspired victory at Pebble Beach in 2010.

Four months later McDowell was Europe’s hero at The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor as he secured the single point needed to regain the Cup by defeating Hunter Mahan 3 and 1 in the final singles match. McDowell then capped his hugely successful 2010 season by winning the Andalucia Valderrama Masters to finish second on The Race to Dubai and share the European Golfer Tour of the Year award with Germany’s Martin Kaymer.

Although without a win last year McDowell finished third at three prestigious events on The European Tour – the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the WGC-HSBC Champions – and looked to be rediscovering his form in the closing stages of the season.

GRAEME MCDOWELLDate of Birth: July 30, 1979

Birthplace: Portrush, Northern IrelandHeight: 5’ 11”

Career victories: 7



P A G E 6 3


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NICOLAS Colsaerts won his first European Tour title last year with a superb victory at the prestigious Volvo China Open in Chengdu in April.

The big-hitting Belgian won by four strokes from Pablo Martin, Danny Lee, Søren Kjeldsen and Peter Lawrie with a 24-under-par total to collect his first European Tour title on his 181st start.

The win earned him a place in the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin and he excelled again, finishing third in the elite field of 24. He ended 2011 a career-best 20th on The Race to Dubai and also represented Belgium at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for the first time.

Colsaerts has sport in his blood as his great grandfather represented Belgium at basketball and water polo at the 1920 Olympic Games.

NICOLAS COLSAERTSDate of Birth: November 14, 1982

Birthplace: Brussels, BelgiumHeight: 6’ 1”

Career victories: 1

THOMAS Aiken made his breakthrough on The European Tour last season with a two-stroke victory over Anders Hansen at the Open de España. The South African carded a final round two under par 70 for a ten under par total, two clear of the Dane, to take home the cheque for €333,330.

Aiken had already posted four top tens prior to his win and carded an additional four top tens, including third place at the South African Open Championship. He ended the season with earnings of €1,055,894 to finish a career-best 22nd on The Race to Dubai. Prior to joining The European Tour Aiken was a regular winner on his native Sunshine Tour.

After turning professional in 2002 he won three times in 2004, twice in 2005 and once each in 2006 and 2008. Aiken made a solid start to this year’s European Tour schedule with a 14th place finish at the Africa Open.

THOMAS AIkENDate of Birth: July 16, 1983

Birthplace: Johannesburg, South AfricaHeight: 5’ 10”

Career victories: 8



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MICHAEL Hoey stepped up to the plate last season with two wins including the biggest victory of his career at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The Ulsterman picked up his first title of the year at the Madeira Islands Open in June with a two-stroke victory over Englishmen Chris Gane and Jamie Elson and five months later he triumphed at the home of golf, holding off the likes of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell for victory by two. He went on to end the season 25th on The Race to Dubai with prize money of €967,668.

Hoey won his first European Tour title in 2009 at the Estoril Open de Portugal with a play-off victory over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño.

Before turning professional in 2002 Hoey won The Amateur Championship at Prestwick Golf Club in 2001 and later that year was a Walker Cup winner alongside the likes of Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell.

MICHAEL HOEYDate of Birth: February 13, 1979

Birthplace: Ballymoney, Northern IrelandHeight: 6’

Career victories: 3

GEORGE Coetzee had a superb season on The European Tour last year with eight top-ten finishes including runner-up at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and four third-place finishes.

Coetzee was third at the Alfred Dunhill Championship and the Portugal Masters to add to his third place finishes at The Barclays Scottish Open and the BMW International Open earlier in the year.

He ended the season in 26th place on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €913,128. Earlier this month he kicked off his 2012 campaign on home soil at the Africa Open and finish in 29th place.

Coetzee, whose idol was Ernie Els as he was growing up, secured his 2011 playing privileges at Qualifying School after finishing 126th on the 2010 Race to Dubai in his first season as a European Tour player. He has won four titles on his native Tour in South Africa.

GEORGE COETzEEDate of Birth: October 3, 1987Birthplace: Sheffield, England




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GRÉGORY Havret posted six top ten finishes on The European Tour last season – including a runner-up finish behind Rory McIlroy at the UBS Hong Kong Open. He finished the season 27th on The Race to Dubai with earnings just shy of €1 million.

In 2010 Havret posted his best ever finish in a Major as he pushed Graeme McDowell all the way at the US Open at Pebble Beach, eventually finishing second outright.

Havret turned professional in 1999 and won his first European Tour title two years later at the Atlanet Italian Open.

He then had a six year drought before stepping into the winner’s circle for a second time, but did so in style after defeating the then World Number Three Phil Mickelson in a play-off at The 2007 Barclays Scottish Open. A year later Havret won again on Scottish soil, this time winning the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

GRéGORY HAVRETDate of Birth: November 25, 1976

Birthplace: La Rochelle, FranceHeight: 6’ 1”

Career victories: 3

SCOTLAND’S Richie Ramsay posted six top tens last season - including back-to-back third placed finishes in Spain at the Castello Masters and the Andalucia Masters in October – and he ended the campaign with earnings of €904,002 for 28th place on The Race to Dubai.

Ramsay won his first European Tour title at the beginning of the 2010 campaign with a play-off victory over India’s Shiv Kapur at the South Africa Open Championship. The pair finished on 13 under par 275 at Pearl Valley but it was the Scot who prevailed with a birdie on the first extra hole.

Ramsay first made the headlines in 2006 when he became the first Scot since Findlay Douglas in 1898 to win the US Amateur Championship, one year after playing in the Walker Cup.

Prior to turning professional in 2007 Ramsay was ranked as the top amateur in the world.

RICHIE RAMSAYDate of Birth: June 15, 1983

Birthplace: Aberdeen, ScotlandHeight: 5’ 9”

Career victories: 1



RAFAEL Cabrera-Bello enjoyed a stellar year on The European Tour last season with four top tens including third place at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and runner-up at the Portugal Masters.

He finished a career-best 30th on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €862,685.

The Spaniard made his breakthrough in impressive fashion in 2009, carding a final round 60 to storm up the field and win the Austrian Golf Open. He went on to finish 39th on The Race to Dubai. In 2010 he finished 78th on The Race to Dubai with one top ten to his name.

Cabrera-Bello won the Spanish National Championship every year from Under seven through to Under 18 level after taking the game up at the age of six in his back garden, which backed onto a golf course on the Canary Island of Gran Canaria.

RAFAEL CABRERA-BELLODate of Birth: May 25, 1984

Birthplace: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, SpainHeight: 6’ 1”

Career victories: 1

MARK Foster posted two runner-up finishes last season but is still in search of his first European Tour title since 2003.

Foster finished runner-up to Thomas Levet at the Alstom Open de France and was defeated in a play-off by Thomas Bjorn at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. He ended the campaign in 32nd place on The Race to Dubai, his best ever finish on the end-of-season ranking and his best since 2007.

The Englishman won his first European Tour title in 2003 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, eventually prevailing in a six-man play-off.

As an amateur Foster won back-to-back English Amateur titles and he was a member of the victorious 1995 Walker Cup team at Royal Porthcawl alongside Padraig Harrington, David Howell and Stephen Gallacher.

MARk FOSTERDate of Birth: November 8, 1969

Birthplace: Lop Buri, ThailandHeight: 5’ 7”




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DAVID Lynn finished runner-up twice last season but is still looking to add to his solitary European Tour title which came in 2004 at the KLM Open.

It was at last year’s KLM Open where Lynn secured his second runner-up finish of the campaign, one shot behind winner Simon Dyson. Earlier in the campaign Lynn finished three shots behind Darren Clarke at the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca and in addition he posted four top tens and went on to finish 35th on The Race to Dubai.

Lynn turned professional in 1995 and he won once on the Challenge Tour in 1997 before he joined The European Tour in 2000 after successfully navigating through Qualifying School.

His win in 2004 helped him to a career-best 26th place on the Order of Merit and the following year he finished runner-up twice to finish 28th on the end-of-season ranking.

DAVID LYNNDate of Birth:October 20, 1973Birthplace: Billinge, England


JAMIE Donaldson had another consistent year on The European Tour last year, posting eight top tens so far including a third place finish at the Omega European Masters but he is still searching for his maiden victory.

He went on to finish the season in 38th place on The Race to Dubai – his best ever finish on the end of season rankings

In 2010 Donaldson posted nine top tens on his way to finishing 46th on The Race to Dubai.

Donaldson turned professional in 2000 and won twice the following year on the Challenge Tour to graduate to The European Tour. He lost his card in 2006 but after another good season on the Challenge Tour in 2007 he regained his European Tour playing privileges.

His best ever finish on The European Tour is runner-up which he posted at the 2003 Open de Portugal and the 2009 SAS Masters.

JAMIE DONALDSONDate of Birth: October 19, 1975Birthplace: Pontypridd, Wales

Height: 5’ 11”


2011 Race to Dubai: 35

FREDRIK Andersson Hed posted four top tens on The European Tour last season including a runner-up finish behind Luke Donald at The Barclays Scottish Open after shooting a superb final round 62. The tall Swede finished the campaign in 39th place on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €769,849.

In 2010 he finished a career-best 22nd on The Race to Dubai after winning his first title in 245 starts on The European Tour at the BMW Italian Open, two shots clear of England’s David Horsey.

As an amateur he won the Swedish Junior Championship in 1989 and then the 1990 European Young Masters.

Andersson-Hed has two Challenge Tour victories to his name – the 1998 Toyota PGA Championship and the Le Touquet Challenge de France in 2000.

FREDRIk ANDERSSON HEDDate of Birth: January 20, 1972Birthplace: Halmstad, Sweden


JOHAN Edfors came agonisingly close to winning his fourth European Tour title at the Open de Andalucia de Golf by Turkish Airlines in March last year but was pipped at the post by Paul Lawrie by one shot.

Four additional top tens - including fourth place at the Saab Wales Open – helped the Swede finish 40th on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €764,807.

Edfors shot to notoriety on The European Tour in 2006 with three victories in a sensational season. The Swede won the TCL Classic, The Barclays Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and The British Masters at The Belfry as he ended the season tenth on the Order of Merit with career-best earnings of €1,505,583.

Edfors turned professional in 1997 and won his first Challenge Tour titles in 2003 on his way to finishing top of the ranking to earn his European Tour card.

JOHAN EDFORSDate of Birth: October 10, 1975

Birthplace: Varberg, SwedenHeight: 6’

Career victories: 3



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SHANE Lowry became only the third amateur to win a European Tour title when he produced a fairytale victory at the Irish Open at County Louth Golf Club in 2009.

The youngster defeated Robert Rock on the third extra hole of a play-off but couldn’t bank the €500,000 cheque because he hadn’t signed professional terms. He turned pro the following week and has been a regular on The European Tour since.

In 2010 he posted two top tens on his way to finishing 62nd on The Race to Dubai and last year he posted four top tens – including fourth place finishes at the BMW PGA Championship and the Andalucia Masters – and ended the campaign 42nd on The Race to Dubai.

Prior to winning the Irish Open Lowry had followed in the footsteps of Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Rory McIlroy as winners of the Irish Amateur Closed Championship.

SHANE LOWRYDate of Birth: April 2, 1987

Birthplace: Mullingar, IrelandHeight: 6’

Career victories: 1

RETIEF Goosen had another solid season on The European Tour last year with third place finishes at the BMW International Open and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and runner-up to Ernie Els at the South African Open Championship at the start of the campaign.

Goosen, who has won 14 times on The European Tour, won his first title in 1996 and claimed his first Major at the 2001 US Open. He joined the golfing elite three years later with a second US Open title after a two-stroke victory over Phil Mickelson.

Goosen became the first non-European since Greg Norman in 1982 to win the Harry Vardon Trophy when he topped the Order of Merit in 2001 and he repeated the feat a year later.

Goosen struck the first drive of the 2012 Race to Dubai at the Africa Open earlier this month and he went on to finish third.

RETIEF GOOSENDate of Birth: February 3, 1969

Birthplace: Pietersburg, South AfricaHeight: 5’ 11”




DAVID Horsey picked up his second European Tour title at last year’s Trophee Hassan II with a play-off victory over Rhys Davies and Jaco Van Zyl.

Horsey won his first European Tour title in fine style at the BMW International Open in 2010 after overhauling a five stroke deficit to win by one from compatriot Ross Fisher. He went on to end the season with three additional top tens for 43rd place on The Race to Dubai and earnings of €718,444.

The Englishman enjoyed a successful amateur career which culminated in an appearance at the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down in Ireland and after turning professional he had a season to remember in 2008 on the Challenge Tour.

Horsey won two times as he graduated to The European Tour as the Number One ranked player.

DAVID HORSEYDate of Birth: April 14, 1985

Birthplace: Stockport, EnglandHeight: 5’ 10”

Career victories: 2

THOMAS Levet wrapped up the most satisfying win of his career last season with a one-stroke victory over Thorbjorn Olesen and Mark Foster at the Alstom Open de France in his hometown of Paris.

However, the win was bittersweet for Levet as he fractured his leg diving into the lake by the 18th green to celebrate. He missed six weeks of the season including The Open at Royal St Georges.

Levet had to miss most of the 2006 season and the early stages of 2007 due to suffering bouts of vertigo. Once back to full fitness the Frenchman showed his class to post four top-ten finishes towards the end of the 2007 season before winning the 2008 Open de Andalucia and the 2009 Open de España. Levet enjoyed a career-best season in 2004. He won The Barclays Scottish Open and had seven top-ten finishes to take a career-high fifth place on the Order of Merit.

THOMAS LEVETDate of Birth: September 5, 1968Birthplace: Belfast, Paris, France

Height: 5’ 9”Career Victories: 7



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GRÉGORY Bourdy posted four top tens on last season’s European Tour, two of which were runner-up finishes at the Saab Wales Open and the Maybank Malaysian Open, as he finished 47th on The Race to Dubai.

In 2010 the Frenchman finished 55th on The Race to Dubai with four top ten finishes.

Bourdy won one European Tour title per season for three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009, starting in 2007 at the Mallorca Classic. A year later he won the Estoril Open de Portugal and in 2009 he won the UBS Hong Kong Open to seal his place in the top 60 on The Race to Dubai and claim a spot in the inaugural Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

Bourdy began playing golf at the age of four after being introduced to it by his golf-loving family. He won the Scottish Youths Amateur Open Championship in 2002 before turning professional a year later.

GRéGORY BOuRDYDate of Birth: April 25, 1982Birthplace: Bordeaux, France


THORBØRN Olesen enjoyed a superb debut season on The European Tour last season with three runner-up finishes and he made his debut at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup representing Denmark alongside Anders Hansen where they finished 13th.

Olesen began the campaign with a second-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Through spring he had a quiet period before he burst into a rich vein of form in June and July. Olesen finished runner-up at the BMW Italian Open after a final round 62 and one month later finished runner-up at one of The European Tour’s most prestigious tournaments – the Alstom Open de France. His performance in Paris earned him a cheque for €260,565 – the biggest of his career so far.

He ended the campaign with a 19th place finish at the Dubai World Championship and with total earnings of £637,703.

THORBJøRN OLESENDate of Birth: December 21, 1989

Birthplace: Fursø, DenmarkHeight: 5’ 9”

2011 Dubai World Championship: 48


ENGLAND’S Ross Fisher had a disappointing 2011 by his high standards after a superb season in 2010 which culminated in him qualifying for a place in Colin Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.

Fisher posted four top tens last year to including sixth place at the KLM Open – the tournament where he made his breakthrough in 2007.

Fisher beat the home favourite Joost Luiten by one stroke to win his first European Tour title and he followed it a year later with a stunning seven-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia at the European Open at the London Golf Club.

In 2009 Fisher won the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin and in 2010 he showed his class to win the Irish Open by two shots from Padraig Harrington in front of vociferous vocal home support.

ROSS FISHERDate of Birth: November 22, 1980

Birthplace: Ascot, EnglandHeight: 6’ 3”

Career victories: 4

FELIPE Aguilar finished third three times on The European Tour last season but he is still in search of his first European Tour title since 2008.

The Chilean finished the campaign in 54th place on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €573,086.

Aguilar has won over 30 times in his homeland but after struggling on The European Tour in 2006 he bounced back in superb fashion with two wins on the Challenge Tour which saw him regain his card.

He didn’t disappoint in 2008, winning the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesian Open on his way to finishing 41st on the Order of Merit.

Aguilar followed that with a solid campaign in 2009, finishing 80th but in 2010 he finished 116th on The Race to Dubai – keeping his card for 2011 by the skin of his teeth. Aguilar grew up around the game of golf as his grandfather, Alfredo, built a number of courses in Chile.

FELIpE AGuILARDate of Birth: November 7, 1974

Birthplace: Santiago, ChileHeight: 5’ 7”

Career victories: 1

2011 Race to Dubai raking: 54

2011 Race to Dubai Ranking: 52

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RHYS Davies had a season to remember on The European Tour in 2010 as one victory and three runner-up finishes saw him finish 18th on The Race to Dubai.

Davies secured his first victory on Tour at the Trophy Hassan II and with second place finishes at the Volvo China Open, The Celtic Manor Wales Open and the Madrid Masters he ended the year with earnings of €1,278,636.

Last season Davies posted two top tens including runner-up in his defence of his Trophy Hassan II title. He also finished third at the Iskandar Johor Open and went on to finish 56th on The Race to Dubai.

Davies had to choose between a career in cricket in golf as a teenager after representing Glamorgan and Wales in the former. He plumped for golf and turned professional in 2007. He graduated from the Challenge Tour in 2009 thanks to two wins including the SWALEC Wales Challenge on home soil.

RHYS DAVIESDate of Birth: May 28, 1985

Birthplace: Edinburgh, ScotlandHeight: 6’ 1”

Career victories: 1


PETER Lawrie posted two top tens last season as he ended 58th on The Race to Dubai. He finished runner-up to Nicolas Colsaerts at the Volvo China Open before taking eighth place at the Irish Open and he ended the campaign with earnings of €546,660.

In 2010 Lawrie finished a career-high 36th on The Race to Dubai after eight top tens and he ended the season strongly with a share of 13th place at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World.

The Irishman won his first European Tour title in 2008 after he defeated home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off at the Open de España.

In 2009 Lawrie carded four top ten finishes including runner-up at the KLM Open and a share of third place in his defence of the Open de España on his way to finishing 43rd on The Race to Dubai.

pETER LAWRIEDate of Birth: March 22, 1974

Birthplace: Dublin, IrelandHeight: 6’

Career victories: 1


STEVE Webster posted two top-ten finishes on The European Tour in 2011 as he ended the season 62nd on The Race to Dubai. The Englishman posted fifth place finishes at both the Adalucia Masters and the Czech Open and ended the season with earnings of €480,689.

Webster posted three top-ten finishes on The European Tour in 2010 including eighth place at the Estoril Open de Portugal.

Webster made the breakthrough on The European Tour in 2005 with victory at the Telecom Italia Open after five runner-up finishes between 1998 and 2004. Two years later Webster picked up the biggest cheque of his career with victory at the Portugal Masters after defeating Swede Robert Karlsson by two strokes with a final round 64 to take home a cheque for €500,000.

STEVE WEBSTERDate of Birth: January 17, 1975Birthplace: Nuneaton, England



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STEpHEN GALLACHER

STEPHEN Gallacher had a steady season on The European Tour last year, finishing 61st on The Race to Dubai with four top tens including third place at the Irish Open and fourth at the Volvo Golf Champions.

In 2010 Gallacher had his best season in six years as he finished 26th on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €931,931. He carded four top tens including fourth place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club to take home a cheque for €225,000.

Gallacher won his maiden professional title exactly 35 years after his uncle, former Ryder Cup Captain Bernard Gallacher, won his first European Tour title.

The Scot made the breakthrough in impressive fashion, winning the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on his home soil at St Andrews by defeating Graeme McDowell in a play-off.

Date of Birth: November 1, 1974Birthplace: Dechmont, Scotland



TOM Lewis burst into the public eye last year with a superb performance as an amateur at The Open Championship, a starring role in the Walker Cup and then a maiden victory on The European Tour.

Lewis first hit the headlines at Royal St Georges after an opening round 65 saw him become the first amateur to lead The Open after the first round and he went on to win the Silver Medal, finishing 30th overall. He turned professional in September after helping GB&I regain the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and won The Portugal Masters on The European Tour in just his third start as a professional.

Lewis hails from Welwyn Garden City, the same club that produced Sir Nick Faldo and was named after his father’s golfing hero, five-time Open Champion Tom Watson.

TOM LEWISDate of Birth: January 5, 1991

Birthplace: Welwyn Garden City, EnglandHeight: 5’ 10”

Career victories: 1


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RICHARD GREEN

RICHARD Green came agonisingly close to winning his fourth European Tour title at the Irish Open last summer but was pipped at the post by Simon Dyson and had to settle for second place.

Green won his third European Tour title the Portugal Masters in 2010 after overcoming a seven shot deficit with a superb seven under par 65. Green stormed up the leaderboard and won by two strokes and he went on to end the season in 21st place on The Race to Dubai. He won his first European Tour title in 1997 at the Dubai Desert Classic and became the first left-handed winner on The European Tour since 1974 (Bob Charles) in the process. On his native PGA Tour of Australasia Green won the 2004 MasterCard Masters before it became a co-sanctioned European Tour event and won his second European title in 2007 at the BA-CA Golf Open in Austria.

Date of Birth: February 19,1971Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia



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AUSTRALIAN Marcus Fraser won his second European Tour title in commanding fashion in 2010 with a four-stroke victory over Gareth Maybin and compatriot Brett Rumford at the Ballantineís Championship in Korea.

Last season Fraser posted three top tens on The European Tour and he ended the season 68th on The Race to Dubai.

Fraser turned professional in 2002 after winning the individual prize in the Eisenhower Trophy and won his won his maiden Challenge Tour title in June 2003 at the Danish Open. He followed it quickly with his second success at the Talma Finnish Challenge and then a fortnight later he picked up his first European Tour title at the BMW Russian Open and guaranteed his playing privileges on Tour for 2004.

In December last year Fraser finished second behind winner Ian Poulter at the Australian Masters.

MARCuS FRASERDate of Birth: July 26, 1978

Birthplace: Corowa, New South Wales, AustraliaHeight: 6’

Career victories: 2


RICHARD Finch has won two titles on The European Tour since turning professional in 2003.

He made his breakthrough in the early stages of the 2008 season with a three-stroke victory over Australian pair Steven Bowditch and Paul Sheehan at the New Zealand Open.

A few months later he memorably won the Irish Open as he fell into the lake after losing his balance hitting his third shot to the 18th green from the riverbank. He hauled himself out of the waist-deep water and closed out a two-shot victory. Finch went on to finish a career-high 20th on the Order of Merit but is still in search of a third European Tour title.

He has come close in recent years with two runner-up finished in 2010 and one last year at the Nordea Masters.

RICHARD FINCHDate of Birth: June 9, 1977

Birthplace: Hull, EnglandHeight: 6’ 2”

Career victories: 2


JAMES Kingston won his first European Tour title on European soil in 2009 with a play-off victory over Denmark’s Anders Hansen at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany.

Both players finished on 13-under-par but it was Kingston who took home the cheque for €320,000 with a solid par on the first extra hole.

Kingston won his first European Tour title with a one-stroke victory over Oliver Wilson at the South African Airways Open in 2007 – an event co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour.

The South African won his first tournament in 1992 at the Lombard Tyres TVL Classic in his homeland and has gone on to win an additional nine times on the Sunshine Tour. In the late 1990s Kingston played on the Asian Tour and won four times.

JAMES kINGSTONDate of Birth: November 30, 1965

Birthplace: Rustenburg, South AfricaHeight: 6’


THONGCHAI Jaidee posted seven top-ten finishes on The European Tour in 2010 including an impressive fifth place finish at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. Last year he posted five top-20 finishes as he ended the campaign 85th on The Race to Dubai.

Jaidee was a regular winner on the Asian Tour before he won his first European Tour title at the co-sanctioned Carlsberg Malaysian Open in 2004 – becoming the first Thai golfer to win on The Tour – and he successfully defended his title a year later.

In 2009 Jaidee won twice at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the Ballantineís Championship and went on to end the season in a career-best 19th on The Race to Dubai.

Prior to turning professional in 1999 Jaidee spent ten years in the Royal Thai Army as a paratrooper.

THONGCHAI JAIDEEDate of Birth: November 8, 1969

Birthplace: Lop Buri, ThailandHeight: 5’ 7”




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CHRIS Wood posted two runner-up finishes on last year’s European Tour schedule and ended the campaign in 89th place on The Race to Dubai.

Wood posted five top tens in 2010 including third place finishes at both the BMW Italian Open and the Irish Open and he ended the season 53rd on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €694,465.

In 2009 Wood was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year after a superb debut season, the highlight of which was a third place finish at The Open Championship at Turnberry, one year after he won the Silver Medal as the best placed amateur for his fifth place finish at Royal Birkdale.

Wood turned professional in 2008 shortly after his heroics at The Open and he earned his card for the 2009 season by finishing fifth at Qualifying School in November.

CHRIS WOODDate of Birth: November 26, 1987

Birthplace: Bristol, EnglandHeight: 6’ 5”

DANNY Willett had a strong second season on The European Tour in 2010 with seven top-ten finishes, including second place at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews.

Willett took home €386,695 – the biggest cheque of his career – for his performance, which took him over the €1million mark for the season.

Last season Willett finished 91st on The Race to Dubai but has started this season strongly with a seventh place finish at the Africa Open earlier this month.

Prior to turning professional in 2008 with a +5 handicap Willett had a superb amateur career. The Yorkshireman won the English Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges in 2007 before going on to play in the Walker Cup and was ranked the Number One Amateur in the world.

DANNY WILLETTDate of Birth: October 3, 1987Birthplace: Sheffield, England

Height: 5’ 11”



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Oliver Fisher underlined his potential by winning his first European Tour title at last year’s Czech Open, two strokes clear of Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg. He ended the campaign in 95th place on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €328,222.

The Englishman was heralded as a start of the future by Sir Nick Faldo when he won the Faldo Series in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and at the age of 16 he became the youngest ever player to play in the Walker Cup at the Chicago Golf Club in 2005.

He played the 2006 European Tour Qualifying School as an amateur with a plus 4 handicap and earned his card for 2007 and promptly turned professional.

Prior to his victory last season Fisher’s best finish was runner-up to Thomas Levet at the Open de Andalucia in 2008 after the Frenchman defeated him in a play-off.

OLIVER FISHERDate of Birth: September 13, 1988

Birthplace: London, EnglandHeight: 6’ 1”

Career Victories: 1


JEEV Milkha Singh became the first Indian golfer to qualify for The European Tour after earning his card at the 1997 Qualifying School. He was a regular tournament winner on the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s and finally made his breakthrough on The European Tour in 2006.

Singh won the Volvo China Open in April that year before rounding the season off with victory at the Volvo Masters to finish 2006 a then career-high 16th place on the Order of Merit.

Two years later Singh won his third European Tour title at the Bank Austria GolfOpen presented by Telekom Austria and went on to end the season 12th on the Order of Merit with €1,218,209 in prize money.

Since 2008 he has posted seven top tens on The European Tour and last year he ended the season in 94th place on The Race to Dubai.

JEEV MILkHA SINGHBirthplace: Chandigarh, India

Date of Birth: December 15, 1971Height: 6’

Career Victories: 6’


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IGNACIO Garrido finished 97th on The Race to Dubai last year thanks to two top-ten finishes.

A year earlier Garrido finished runner-up behind Matteo Manassero at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar and earned €222,220 in the process, helping him to finish 44th on The Race to Dubai. The Spaniard posted three additional top tens in 2010, including third place at the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco.

Garrido won his first European Tour title in 1997 at the Volvo German Open which secured him a maiden berth in the European Ryder Cup team at Valderrama, following in the footsteps of his father, Antonio, who played in the first Ryder Cup open to Continental Europeans in 1979.

In 2003 Garrido won the biggest title of his career with a play-off victory over South African Trevor Immelman at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

IGNACIO GARRIDODate of Birth: March 27, 1972

Birthplace: Madrid, SpainHeight: 5’ 11”

Career Victories: 2


BRADLEY Dredge posted one top-ten finishes on The European Tour last year including on his way to finishing 96th on The Race to Dubai. A year earlier Dredge carded three top tens to finish 63rd on the end of season ranking.

Welshman Dredge won his first European Tour title at the 2003 Madeira Island Open after a commanding eight-stroke victory over Andrew Marshall, Brian Davis and Fredrik Andersson Hed.

In 2006 Dredge secured his second Tour title at the Omega European Masters and narrowly missed out on back-to-back victories when he finished runner-up at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The high point of Dredge’s career came in 2005 when he teamed with Stephen Dodd to win the World Cup in Portugal after defeating the England and Sweden by two strokes.

BRADLEY DREDGEDate of Birth: July 6, 1973Birthplace: Tredegar, Wales

Height: 6’Career victories: 2


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GRAEME Storm secured his maiden European Tour title at the 2007 Open de France Alstom and went on to finish the season a career-best 16th on the Order of Merit.

Storm came from five strokes off the lead to win by one from Denmark’s Søren Hansen after firing a brilliant final round 5-under-par 66.

Storm carded three top-ten finishes in addition to his win in France to break the €1 million mark for the first time in his career as he ended the campaign with €1,209,673.

In 2009 Storm carded three top-ten finishes including a share of third place at the Open de Andalucia de Golf and he ended the year 49th on The Race to Dubai with €649,875 in prize money.

As an amateur Storm was a member of the victorious 1999 Walker Cup Team and won the 1999 Amateur Championship which sealed him a place in The Masters Tournament the following year.

GRAEME STORMDate of Birth: March 13, 1978Birthplace: Hartlepool, England



ARGENTINE Ricardo Gonzalez won his fourth European Tour title at the SAS Masters in 2009 in superb fashion, birdieing five of the last six holes to beat Jamie Donaldson by two strokes.

He holed out for birdie from a bunker on the 17th and then struck a nine iron approach through some trees to within five feet of the pin for a birdie putt – a shot which later earned him The European Tour Shot of the Month for July that year.

Gonzalez won his maiden European Tour title at the 2001 Omega European Masters with a commanding wire-to-wire victory. His second title came at the 2003 Open de Madrid and he won his third title a year later - again on Spanish soil - at the Open de Sevilla.

He began his golfing career as a caddie in Corrientes and qualified for the 1999 European Tour season after winning the Tusker Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour.

RICARDO GONzALEzDate of Birth: October 24, 1969

Birthplace: Rustenburg, Corrientes, ArgentinaHeight: 6’

Career victories: 4


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COLIN Montgomerie fulfilled a life-long dream in 2010 as he lead Europe to a superb one point victory in The Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, successfully regaining the trophy from their American counterparts.

As a player Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup record is superb with 23.5 points from 36 matches – the third highest haul in European history – and he was unbeaten in all eight of his singles matches stretching back to 1991.

In July 2007 Montgomerie became the most prolific British winner on The European Tour, eclipsing Nick Faldo’s 30 wins with victory at The European Open at The K Club.

Montgomerie topped the Order of Merit a record eight times including an unprecedented seven times in a row between 1993-1999. He is a three time winner of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club and he won the World Match Play Championship over the same course in 1999.

COLIN MONTGOMERIEDate of Birth: June 23, 1963

Birthplace: Glasgow, ScotlandHeight: 6’ 1”

Career Victories: 40

DAVID Howell joined The European Tour in 1996 and won his first title at the Dubai Desert Classic in 1999 before adding a second title six years later at the BMW International Open in 2005.

He enjoyed the best season of his career in 2006 with two wins and five top-ten finishes on The European Tour, ending the year in a career-high third place on the Order of Merit with €2,321,166. Howell won the HSBC Champions by three strokes from Tiger Woods and took the BMW Championship before ending the year with his second consecutive winning appearance in The Ryder Cup at The K Club.

After the highs of 2006 Howell was plagued by injuries to his shoulder and lower back but came back strongly in 2008, finishing 45th on the Order of Merit with two top-ten finishes including runner-up at the Estoril Open de Portugal.

DAVID HOWELLDate of Birth: June 23, 1975Birthplace: Swindon, England




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MARC Warren joined The European Tour at the start of the 2006 season after graduating from the European Challenge Tour the previous year as the No.1 player.

Warren secured two victories during a memorable year on the Challenge Tour, showing promise under the guidance of renowned Scottish coach Bob Torrance.

In his European Tour rookie season of 2006 he clinched his maiden title at the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters where he beat Robert Karlsson in a play-off.

His victory, along with several more fine performances, including three top tens, saw Warren finish 42nd on the Order of Merit with €610,885 in prize money and he was crowned the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

The following season Warren won his second title at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and later teamed up with Colin Montgomerie to win the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.

MARC WARRENDate of Birth: April 1st, 1981

Birthplace: Rutherglen, ScotlandHeight: 5’ 11”

Career Victories: 2


SØREN Hansen posted two top-ten finishes on The European Tour last year and he ended the season 109th on The Race to Dubai.

In 2010 Hansen finished 60th on The Race to Dubai with four top tens including a third place finish at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

In 2008 Hansen became only the second Dane after Thomas Björn to play in The Ryder Cup after qualifying for Sir Nick Faldo’s team at Valhalla Golf Club by accumulating 12 top 15 finishes.

Hansen joined The European Tour in 1999 after graduating from the Challenge Tour and won his first title in 2002 at the Irish Open. He had a five-year wait for his next victory which came at the 2007 Mercedes-Benz Championship in Germany. He ended the 2007 season with a further six top tens - including a runner-up finish ñ for a career-high eighth place on the Order of Merit.

SøREN HANSENDate of Birth: March 21, 1974

Birthplace: Copenhagen, DenmarkHeight: 6’

Career Victories: 2


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SWEDE Henrik Stenson won the biggest title of his career at The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour in 2009 with a four-stroke victory over Ian Poulter.

Stenson won his first European Tour title in 2001 at the Benson and Hedges International Open. He won The Heritage at Woburn in 2004 before winning twice in 2006 on his way to finishing sixth on the Order of Merit.

Stenson was victorious at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters and later in the season he won the BMW International Open after defeating Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen in a play-off. He went on to make his Ryder Cup debut at The K Club in Europe’s record 18½ -9½ victory.

In 2007 Stenson won the Dubai Desert Classic and then shot to worldwide acclaim one month later with a superb victory at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.

HENRIk STENSONDate of Birth: April 5, 1976

Birthplace: Gothenburg, SwedenHeight: 6’ 1”

Career Victories: 7


ENGLISHMAN Oliver Wilson has finished runner-up nine times on The European Tour, including the 2009 HSBC Champions (where he lost a sudden-death play-off to Sergio Garcia), and it still in search of a breakthrough victory.

In 2010 he carded six top tens and finished 48th on The Race to Dubai and last year he finished 130th.

His 2009 season was the best of his career as he carded two runner-up finishes to end the season seventh on The Race to Dubai with earnings of €2,010,158.

Four runner-up finishes in 2008 saw him become the first European to qualify for The Ryder Cup team without a professional win and he earned one point from two matches under Sir Nick Faldo’s Captaincy – a foursomes win alongside Henrik Stenson against America’s top pairing of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim.

OLIVER WILSONDate of Birth: September 14, 1980

Birthplace: Mansfield, EnglandHeight: 5’ 11”


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TOMMY Fleetwood made history last season by becoming the youngest player to top the Challenge Tour rankings after he captured his maiden title as a professional at the Kazakhstan Open.

Fleetwood turned professional in 2011 after rising to the top of the Scratch Players World Amateur Rankings after victories at the 2010 English Amateur and the Boys Home Internationals.

He was runner-up twice in 2011 before he secured a two-stroke victory over Norwegian Knut Borsheim in Kazakhstan to pick up a cheque for €64,000 - the biggest on the Challenge Tour schedule.

The following month he played in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews after receiving an invite and finished in fifth place and picked up a cheque for €126,334. He finished inside the top 150 on The Race to Dubai after just eight events.

TOMMY FLEETWOODDate of Birth: January 19, 1991Birthplace: Southport, England

Height: 5’ 10”

ROSS McGowan made his breakthrough on The European Tour in 2009 at the Madrid Masters.

A third round 60 paved the way for his success although his round will not appear in the record books because preferred lies were in play in soggy Spain. McGowan finished on 25 under par to win by three from Finlandís Mikko Ilonen.

In addition to his win McGowan carded four top ten finishes including a runner-up finish at the inaugural Dubai World Championship behind runaway champion Lee Westwood and he went on to end the season in 12th place on The Race to Dubai.

McGowan turned professional at the end of 2006 after graduating from the University of Tennessee and winning the English Amateur Championship that same year, when he defeated Oliver Fisher in the final.

ROSS MCGOWANDate of Birth: April 23, 1982Birthplace: Basildon, England




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PAUL McGinley turned professional in 1991 after a successful amateur career and earned his European Tour card at Qualifying School for the 1992 season.

The Irishman has won four times on The European Tour with his first victory coming in the 1996 Hohe Brücke Open with his second coming a year later as he claimed the Oki Pro-Am at La Moraleja in Madrid.

McGinley had a great season in 2001, finishing eighth on the Order of Merit after securing victory at the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open and ten additional top-ten finishes saw him take home earnings of €1,464,434. As a result he qualified for the 2002 Ryder Cup at The Belfry, where he famously holed the winning putt, halving his singles match with Jim Furyk. He made two further Ryder Cup appearances in Europe’s record 18½ - 9½ wins at Oakland Hills in 2004 and The K Club in 2006 and won his last Tour title in 2005 at the Volvo Masters.

pAuL MCGINLEYDate of Birth: December 16, 1966

Birthplace: Dublin, IrelandHeight: 5’ 7”

Career victories: 9

JOSÉ Maria Olazábal will fulfil a lifelong dream later this year when he Captains the European Ryder Cup team at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

The Spaniard played in seven editions of The Ryder Cup and forged the most successful partnership in the event’s history with his compatriot, the late Seve Ballesteros as they won 11, halved two and lost only two of their matches together.

Olazábal won two Major titles – the 1994 and 1999 Masters Tournament at Augusta – and has triumphed 23 times in total on The European Tour.

In 2009 Olazábal was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and after his first Masters win in 1994 he was awarded Honorary Membership of The European Tour. His impressive amateur career included defeating Colin Montgomerie to win the 1984 Amateur Championship at Formby Golf Club at the age of 18.

JOSé MARIA OLAzáBALDate of Birth: February 2, 1966Birthplace: Fuenterrabia, Spain




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MICHAEL Campbell announced his arrival on the world stage by becoming the first Maori to win a Major Championship with victory at the US Open at Pinehurst No.2 in 2005.

The New Zealander then won the World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, beating Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the final, to win £1million in prize money and end the best season of his career in second place on the Order of Merit.

Campbell’s achievements in 2005 were further recognised when he was awarded The European Tour Golfer of the Year award. Campbell has played on The European Tour since 1995 and ended his rookie season fifth on the Order of Merit thanks to two runner-up finishes.

He has represented his country in the World Cup four times and is a two-time Presidents Cup player.

MICHAEL CAMpBELLDate of Birth: February 23, 1969Birthplace: Hawera, New Zealand


BEN Curtis turned professional in 2000 and shook the world of golf three years later by winning The Open Championship at Royal St. Georges to become the first player to win a Major at their first attempt since Francis Ouimet at the 1913 US Open.

In 2006 Curtis won two times on the US PGA Tour to finish 30th on the money list with over $2.2m in prize money. He won the Booz Allen Classic in June after an opening round 62 and won his second title of the year in September at the 84 Lumber Classic.

In 2008 he made his Ryder Cup debut after a steady season on the American circuit. He had two top-ten finishes in the Majors with a tie for seventh place at The Open and a tie for the runner-up spot at the US PGA Championship. Curtis earned 1.5 points for the victorious American side at Valhalla.

BEN CuRTISDate of Birth: May 26, 1977

Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, USAHeight: 5’ 11”

Career Victories: 3

2011 Race to Dubai Ranking: N/A


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YAS LINkS GOLF CLuBkyle phillips’ masterpiece is the ideal venue for the Emirates Airline Invitational Hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah. The Middle East’s first true links golf course ranks alongside kyle’s world-class creations at kingsbarns, St Andrews, and at Dundonald on the Ayrshire coast near Troon. It’s a unique golfing experience in the region which will present a real challenge for the cream of The European Tour and a tough test for the amateurs and celebrities. The luxurious Andalucia-styled clubhouse complements the golf course and provides every facility imaginable.

Lee WestwoodThe course is very similar to the other ones Kyle Phillips has designed, it’s got a feel like Kingsbarns to it.

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Henrik StensonI like links courses. It’s a beautiful spot and the course has a very nice feel to it. I think it’ll be quite a tricky course for the amateurs and I’m sure some of those hidden bunkers will have catch quite a few balls.

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Matteo MannaseroKyle Phillips knows how to design this type of golf course very well, I think it’s a great layout. It can be very tough when it’s really windy so he’s done the right job. It’s not easy to create a links course when the land is not really links so well done to him.

Jeev Milkha SinghI think it’s a fantastic golf course, it’s a great links course, especially in the Middle East. Playing here in Abu Dhabi on a links, you couldn’t ask for a better day. Usually Monday is a day off but when you have the opportunity to play a course like this it makes up for your day off.

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Johan EdforsKyle has done a great job with the course. You sort of feel like you’re at Kingsbarns every now and again. It’s a really good golf course.

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Thomas LevetThe golf course is actually a lot more difficult off the tee than Kingsbarns especially the first time you play it when you don’t know the course – you can be surprised by some bunkers in the middle of the fairway and some carries that you’re not sure about. But the greens are very comparable and the whole course is in great shape so it’s good fun and a nice layout.

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2012 emirates invitational official programme

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