Television's 'voice of the European Tour' says Abu Dhabi ready to become 'major golfing destination'

"I can see Abu Dhabi doing really well on the golf front - it is coming along very well indeed and it is nice to have been here from the start (at the Championship). Abu Dhabi is only six hours from Europe, and to come across at this time of year with the lovely weather...the conditions are ideal for playing golf," said Laidlaw, who was Chief Golf Writer for the London Evening Standard for 25 years between 1973 and 1998.

"It's terrific that Abu Dhabi has got in on the act. Lessons have been learnt from what has gone on in other areas of the Gulf, and the potential is here to lead from the front. In ten years time it wouldn't surprise me if the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is the biggest in the Middle East - it is becoming a major golfing destination."

With a voice recognised by millions of golfing fans around the world, Laidlaw - the Golf Channel's anchor since 1995 who officially marked 50 years of continuous work in the golfing arena last year - was full of praise for the Abu Dhabi Golf Club's National Course.

"I've not heard one player make any criticism of the golf course. It is designed by Peter Harradine and it has some very good holes in it - the finishing hole is one of the best. The course has been stretched to 7,500 yards, there's thick rough, and the greens are running at 12 on the stimp metre - it's perfect.

"You have to play well to score well here. You have to keep it on the fairway as the rough is very punishing. That's the way the players like it though, you want to be rewarded for hitting straight and this course allows for that."

And on Abu Dhabi Golf Club's iconic clubhouse, Laidlaw added: "It echoes local traditions and the falcon is very impressive."

With prodigies Martin Kaymer and Rory McIlroy both entertaining the Abu Dhabi galleries, Laidlaw predicts a bright future for the European game. However, he remained coy on whether the young Northern Irishman or German would force their respective ways into Nick Faldo's European Ryder Cup team which travels to Valhalla, Kentucky this September.

"It's going to be a good battle for places but it may come a bit early for McIlroy and Kaymer. The good thing is we have great European talent coming along that will put a lot pressure on the experienced hands. Very few places are safe, Henrik should be in...and we know how good a player Paul Casey is. It will be hard for Faldo to pick his best team."

And who does the Golf Channel's lauded 'television voice of the European Tour' think will win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship's coveted 'Falcon' trophy?

"It seems strange to say Kaymer because he's obviously top of the leaderboard, but the way he finished last year, finishing 7th in Portugal and 6th at the Volvo Masters - he's got a huge amount of talent. He looks good, plays well, has good temperament and technique. There's no reason why he shouldn't be one of our biggest stars and Abu Dhabi would be a great maiden European Tour victory for him."

With his almost encyclopedic knowledge of the game - he has watched players of the ilk of Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods rule the sport over the years - it would take a brave man to bet against Laidlaw, the much traveled, charming, self effacing gentlemen of the game.