'Giants' of golf coming to Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is set to feature a strong field when the players tee off in January.

Three reigning Major-winners and a host of other top names have confirmed they will appear at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Keegan Bradley is the only Major winner from 2011 to miss out after Charl Schwartzel (US Masters), Rory McIlroy (US Open) and Darren Clarke (The Open) confirmed their appearances.

Current world number one Luke Donald will also be in the field along with fellow Englishman Lee Westwood.

Tiger Woods will also compete along with defending champion Martin Kaymer, Jason Day and KJ Choi. Woods is somewhat of a coup for the organisers of the tournament having been a regular competitor in the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods has opted to make this tournament his only event in the Middle East for 2012.

Woods said: "I've heard a lot about Abu Dhabi and the Championship which is a favourite among many of the players who return each year.

"I'm looking forward to 2012 and what I hope will be a great year of golf for me. I've always enjoyed playing in HSBC events around the world, so I have been interested in including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in my schedule for some time."

Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, said: "The giants of golf are coming to Abu Dhabi. Traditionally we have prioritised depth of field at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and that has not changed for our seventh year. It is safe to say we amassing the finest field to ever contest a Middle East tournament."