Live scoreboard http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015002/leaderboard/index.html
It's hard to imagine, when you watch any of the golf on this opening desert swing, this week in Abu Dhabi, that they are actually playing in the desert !! Lush green fairways, water everywhere, it's not until the producers pan back that you see the desert surrounding what in the days of Sinbad, was an oasis.
The UAE, Dubai in particular, is determined to be the world's favourite tourist location. No other city grows at it's rate, sky scrapers seem to emerge on a weekly basis. The Al Maktoum family that have ruled as a monarchy since 1833 know that the oil reserves are running out and are now relying on trade, financial services and tourism to fuel the economy. Expo 2020 has been awarded to the city, and many of the European Tour players make Dubai their home, it is centrally located, it's hot and sunny year round, it's tax free and the Maktoum family while governed by Islam, have a relaxed attitude towards non muslim westerners and their customs.
Abu Dhabi, the capital is south of Dubai and this is the setting for this week's field. Round 1 is already in the books and Martin Kaymer looking for his 4th title here finished with a birdie for a -8 64, a shot ahead of Belgium's Thomas Pieters (65). Six golfers are at -6, and 5 more at -5 67 including Rory and Rickie.
McIlroy, who opens every season now with a week of practice in Dubai declared himself pleased with 67, crediting his short game for saving some wayward driving.
Rickie who now can pick out where and when he wants to play, says he looks forward to becoming a world golfer.
Four of the world's top ten are here, it's the event's 10th anniversary and it continues to grow. With all due respect to the Sony Open in Hawaii this week, the strongest field is in the desert of the UAE.
Bryan
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