Stylish Donald swings into Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

Donald, widely regarded as having one of the best swings in golf, will make his regional debut in Abu Dhabi, and joins a glittering line-up that includes fellow countryman, defending champion Paul Casey; Australian Adam Scott, ranked sixth in the World; Open Champion Padraig Harrington, the World number seven; Scottish maestro Colin Montgomerie, and Swedish number one, Henrik Stenson.

"Abu Dhabi will be a whole new experience for me. I watched the final day of this year's Championship on television - it was very exciting and it was then I decided to compete," said Donald, who has won five events since turning pro in 2001.

"It was a great win for Paul Casey who's a good friend of mine. We've spoken at length about the Championship, the city and the Emirates Palace Hotel, which sound amazing."

"I'm ready to give it my all in January and I'd like nothing better than to add my name on the 'Falcon' trophy in 2008!"

After an outstanding amateur career which saw him part of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Teams in 1999 and 2001, Donald burst onto the professional golf scene in 2001 when he became only the 11th rookie in US PGA Tour history to earn more than US$ 1 million in his first season. Prior to turning pro, Donald also broke another famous record when he won the individual NCAA men's title in 1999 in the US, beating the scoring record formerly held by golfing legend, Tiger Woods.

Donald has won two tournaments on the US PGA Tour and in Europe he won the 2004 Omega European Masters and the Scandinavian Masters, which was followed up with a victory in the European Ryder Cup. To finish off a fantastic year Donald then partnered his good friend and Ryder Cup colleague Paul Casey to an English victory in the WGC-World Cup.

He also claims that one of the highlights of his career to date was playing with Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the 2005 Open Championship over the Old Course at St Andrews, the final two rounds of Nicklaus' legendary Open Championship career.

Not just famed for his golfing abilities, Donald is one of the most stylish golfers on the European Tour, combining modern chic with traditional golfing prowess.

"Donald's participation is another feather in the cap for Abu Dhabi Golf Championship as we continue to add fresh talent to the impressive cadre of golfing professionals taking to the UAE capital's fairways," said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the championship, and Chairman, Abu Dhabi Golf Championship Organising Committee.

"Next year's event boasts the most impressive line-up yet and is testament to the international pull Abu Dhabi has established as a premium sporting destination."

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.