Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - Martin Kaymer & G-Mac, Day 3

Some final shots from my Saturday at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, sponsored by HSBC. Tickets at 125 AED were really good value, considering how good the action was, and how close we could get to the players! Here is the final grouping on Day 3, of Martin Kaymer (The champ for a 3rd time, thus keeping the Falcon Trophy!) - Graeme MacDowell (Finished tied-3rd) - Charl Schwartzel (eventually finished 8th).


Yes, we were so close to Martin Kaymer. These shots were without zoom on my Canon Powershot G10.


Its Graeme G-Mac MacDowell!


G-Mac looking on...

Check out Martin's swing ... future world number one? You betcha!

Calm ... composed ... Martin Kaymer!


G-Mac hits another brilliant approach!


I like the new Cadillac CTS-V coupe!


Teeing it up on the Par 3 12th, 174 yards ... Funny how Soren Kjeldsen had an ace on Day 1 (winning a Cadillac CTS in the process!), Ricardo Gonzalez repeated this in Day 2, and Paul Casey who is a 2 time winner of this tournament, did it on the 3rd day! 3 hole in ones ... 3 days!


G-Mac was closest to the pin, only 6 feet away!

Strike a pose...


Charl Schwartzel had a frustrating day :-(


Kaymer and G-Mac lining up their putts ...


G-Mac's effort just lips out!


Martin misses his putt too!
All in all ... a brilliant event, we thoroughly enjoyed the Friday at the Pavilion, and my walking day on Saturday too! See you in 2012!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - Stenson, Jiminez and Casey on Day 3

Event: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - Day 3 (Saturday)
Location: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE
Ticket: 125 AED
Camera: Canon Powershot G10

More shots from my walkabout with the players on Day 3 of the championship. Golf tournaments in the UAE are great, you get such fantastic access to the players, standing alongside them!


On many of the tee's, we got to stand right behind where the players tee'd off!


Alexander Noren had a great tournament!


The Mechanic ... cigar-puffing Miguel Angel Jiminez!


Oooh ... big belly!


Tano Goya had a really good tournament too.


Paraguayan, Fabrizio Zanotti, who eventually shot a 72 in Day 3 ... taking a drop as his ball was in the rocks, by the bank of the lake! He wasn't too pleased!!

Francesco Molinari who shot a respectable 69 on Day 3 ... eventually finished the tournament Tied-8th at 10 under par.

Alvaro Quiros ...


The colourful Johan Edfors!

And ... Paul Casey, who was the 3rd ranked player in the world in 2009. He was the champion here in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and 2009!

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - Phil Mickelson on Day 3

Event: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Location: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, UAE
Ticket: 125 AED
Camera: Canon Powershot G10

Welcome to Day 3 of the tournament :-)


Butch Harmon having a chat with Phil minutes before his round began ...


Its Phil Mickelson :-)


Henrik and Johan ...


Up close with Phil Mickelson at the putting and chipping green ... glorious chipping action, so crisp!


Team Phil - Bones, Butch and ... Phil!


Walking down the 1st fairway ... Phil, with Henrik Stenson and Paul Broadhurst.


Henrik Stenson ...


Lefty had a magical start with birdie-birdie!


Mickelson started off 4 under ... Here's Bones helping him read his line on the 2nd green!

Stenson's turn on the deceptively smooth greens!


Stenson tees off from the elevated tee-box .. and Phil punches another chip in!


Rolling in another putt ... what a start! Go Phil!