Monty aiming for third time lucky at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

'Monty,' the record eight-time winner of the European Order of Merit, will join fellow Ryder Cup winners, Paul Casey, the defending champion, and UAE resident Henrik Stenson in Abu Dhabi from January 17th - 20th.

One of the game's most consistent performers, Montgomerie, who lifted an astonishing seven consecutive Order of Merit titles between 1993 -1999, has an amazing record of having never lost a Ryder Cup singles contest in all eight matches he has played.

"I'm looking forward to playing in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for the third time," said the Scottish maestro, who'll be chasing a share of the US $2 million prize fund and the championship's coveted 'Falcon' trophy.

"Having shot 17-under in the inaugural event and 10-under earlier this year, I know the National Course will be a stern test for all of us vying for the 'Falcon.'

"It would be great to start 2008 with a strong finish, or even a win, in the UAE capital," added the Scotsman.

News of Montgomerie's commitment has been warmly welcomed by Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

"Repeat business is a successful formula for any line of endeavour and by attracting back the best in the game, such as Monty, we are demonstrating our international golfing credentials," he said.

"Monty has his own brand of magic on the course, and after being extremely popular with the supporters over the past two years, I fully expect he will be another huge crowd puller next year.

"The field is starting to shape up and the championship looks certain to have an enviable cadre of 120 world class golfers," added Al Muhairi.

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 markets around the world, 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, Official Media Partner - AME Info and Cutter & Buck as official merchandise.