Aussie dynamo Adam Scott eyes top honours in January

Widely regarded as the natural successor to golfing legend Greg Norman, an impression reinforced when the Aussie legend's former caddy joined up with Scott in 2004, the 27-year-old is one of only two golfers born in the 1980s who have made the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Scott, tipped by his fellow pros to have one of the most promising careers in the game, believes that Abu Dhabi Golf Championship glory could be the perfect kick-start to his season and is relishing the chance to take the coveted 'Falcon' trophy back to the Southern Hemisphere.

'Where better to start the year than in Abu Dhabi? It's now a household name back home thanks to Etihad's strong network of Australia flights, and the players speak so highly of the city, the people, and the facilities at Abu Dhabi Golf Club - I can't wait to see it,' said Scott, who - in his relatively short career - has 12 professional wins under his belt.

'I'm looking forward to hopefully getting my hands on the 'Falcon.' I know Padraig Harrington fancies being the first Irishman to lift the trophy but, rest assured, I'll bring everything in my bag to make sure the 'Falcon' goes Down Under.'

Scott's confirmation adds to the list of 120 of the world's top golfers including Paul Casey, defending his 2007 crown, Scottish legend, Colin Montgomerie, Sweden's number one, Henrik Stenson and world number seven, Padraig Harrington.

'We have continued to add to the depth of field and breadth of quality on display at this event. One of the most important aspects of what we are trying to do going forward is the development of youth in sports, and many of the region's younger golfing fans will benefit greatly by Adam's strokeplay, which is of the very highest level,'

said HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which organises the Championship.

With all four days of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship being covered on live TV and reaching a global audience of over 140 million in key global markets, the 2008 championship formally begins on Wednesday, January 16 with the Al-Masaood Pro-Am and Awards Gala when sponsors and their guests will play and socialise with some of the world's best professionals.

The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship 2008 has attracted a high profile sponsorship line up including: Etihad Airways and Aldar as Diamond Sponsors; Etisalat, Standard Chartered Bank and Emirates Palace as a Platinum Sponsors; Nissan, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Omega and Xerox as Gold Sponsors, Gulf News as Official Newspaper, Radio 2 as Official Radio Station, Middle East Golfer as Official Magazine, AME Info as Official Media Partner and Cutter & Buck as official merchandise.