FACTS ABOUT THE ABU DHABI GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
The European Tour International Schedule will visit Abu Dhabi for the first time and will be the 36th destination in total to have hosted a European Tour event. Here is a full list of the 36 destinations
COUNTRY & YEAR OF FIRST EVENT
Abu Dhabi 2006
Argentina 2001
Australia 1996
Austria 1990
Belgium 1978
Brazil 2000
China 2002
Czech Republic 1994
Denmark 2003
Dubai 1989
England 1972
France 1972
Germany 1972
Indonesia 2005
Ireland 1972
Italy 1972
Malaysia 1999
Monte Carlo 1984
Morocco 1987
Netherlands 1972
New Zealand 2005
Philipines 1995
Portugal 1973
Qatar 1998
Russia 2003
Scotland 1972
Singapore 1993
South Africa 1995
Spain 1972
Sweden 1973
Switzerland 1972
Taiwan 2000
Thailand 1992
Tunisia 1982
United States 1999
Wales 1973
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship will be the 25th European Tour event to be played in the Gulf- - 16 Dubai Desert Classics’ (between 1989-2005) and eight Qatar Masters (between 1998-2005).
The field contains three Major Champions, John Daly, Paul Lawrie and Vijay Singh, with six Majors between them.
The field also contains 72 players who have won on The European Tour International Schedule, with a total of 206 European Tour titles between them.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is the sixth Order of Merit event on the 2006 Schedule and includes 19 players who were victorious on The 2005 European Tour International Schedule.
Within the field, nine players have already claimed a title in the Gulf – they are: Thomas Björn (2001 (Dubai Desert Classic), Andrew Coltart (1998 Qatar Masters), Robert-Jan Derksen (2003 Dubai Desert Classic), Darren Fichardt (2003 (Qatar Masters), Richard Green (1997 Dubai Desert Classic), Joakim Haeggman (2004 Qatar Masters), David Howell (1999 Dubai Desert Classic), Paul Lawrie (1999 Qatar Masters) and Colin Montgomerie (1996 Dubai Desert Classic).
