Top stars arrive for showdown

Abu Dhabi - Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson will take part in the new GolfBoarding challenge at Abu Dhabi's ocean-front Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Four of the world's best golfers arrived in the Capital well ahead the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
In an all-action start to the 11th annual Championship, American Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson will take part in the new GolfBoarding challenge at Abu Dhabi's ocean-front Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
GolfBoarding has taken golf by storm in the US over the past year. Co-created by surfing legend and extreme sports pioneer Laird Hamilton, the boards, a fun alternative to golf carts, are powered by environmentally-friendly lithium-ion batteries and are capable of reaching a speed of 10 miles per hour. They let golfers 'surf the earth' as they ride the course, skateboard-style, from hole to hole, giving a whole new meaning to 'pace of play'.
The four elite are part of a superstar field for the $2.7 million prize purse Desert Swing and European Tour season opener at Abu Dhabi Golf Club National course (Jan.21-24), teeing off a year which also hosts the Ryder Cup and sees the sport return to the Olympics this August in Rio.
Spieth, who is making his Arabian debut in Abu Dhabi, said: "I've spoken to Rickie a number of times about it and he said his experience of Abu Dhabi and this event was fantastic. I am really looking forward to playing this week."
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), which owns the event said: "We have the biggest names in golf at the Championship this year - four of the world's top six, a raft of young aspiring 'ones-to-watch' new-comers and a significant Falcon Trophy challenge from Asia's best. Every year the Championship grows in stature, as evidence by the fact that this year our field is stronger than any recent tournament hosted in the region.
"Stars like Jordan, Rory and Rickie belong to an exciting new generation of young and highly talented golfers - players who regularly win golf's biggest tournaments but also players who do so in a style and grace that inspires the youngest of fans."