Returning for its 20th year, and now part of the DP World Tour Play-Offs, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championshipcontinues to evolve while retaining everything that’s made it a favourite among players and fans alike. Worldwide Golf takes a look back at two decades of storylines, stars, and unforgettable moments — and explores why this Middle Eastern classic is shining brighter than ever.
From Desert Debut to Global Stage
When the inaugural event teed off in 2006, golf was a very different landscape. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were still at their peaks, social media barely existed, and debates over “equipment rollbacks” were years away. Yet through all the changes — the rise of new tours, new formats, and digital fanbases — one thing has remained constant: Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the DP World Tour’s crown jewels.
From its early January slot to its current November Play-Off position, the tournament has showcased legends of the game. Woods, McIlroy, Westwood, Casey, and Fleetwood have all lit up the UAE capital, while the Falcon Trophy has been hoisted by a who’s who of European golf.
Memorable Moments That Made History
Few events have produced as many unforgettable chapters as Abu Dhabi.
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2006: Chris DiMarco triumphed in the inaugural event with his wife caddying — a storybook start.
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2010: Martin Kaymer used his second consecutive win as a springboard to a PGA Championship victory later that year.
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2012: Robert Rock stunned Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy to capture a career-defining win.
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2019: Shane Lowry’s record-tying 62 and dramatic final-round comeback set him on the path to his Open Championship glory.
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2020: Lee Westwood, at 46, became one of only three players in DP World Tour history to win in four different decades.
And then there are the quirks that live in fan folklore — three aces on the same hole in 2012, a last-minute airline pilot turned caddie in 2013, and a string of famous rulebook dramas involving Stenson, Harrington, and Woods.
A New Era at Yas Links
The event’s move from Abu Dhabi Golf Club to Yas Links marked a bold new chapter. The stunning coastal layout by Kyle Phillips — the architect behind Kingsbarns — brings a distinct links flavour to the Middle East, rewarding creativity and punishing errors.
Last season’s edition, the first under the new Play-Offs format, saw Englishman Paul Waring deliver a sensational 66 on Sunday, sealing victory with a 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th.
The Play-Offs Era: Raising the Stakes
Now staged in early November, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship kicks off the DP World Tour Play-Offs, where the top 70 players battle to advance to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
“By aligning Abu Dhabi and Dubai as back-to-back Play-Off events, we’ve created a season-ending fortnight of world-class golf in the UAE,” says Tom Phillips, DP World Tour’s Middle East Director. “It’s a compelling narrative that enhances fan engagement and the region’s global profile.”
With Rory McIlroy chasing a record seventh Race to Dubai title, expect fireworks when he returns to Yas Links, joined by Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, and Justin Rose — all fresh off Ryder Cup heroics. Add crowd favourites like Min Woo Lee, Adrian Meronk, and Victor Perez, and the stage is set for another dramatic desert showdown.
A Jewel That Keeps Shining
Two decades on, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship remains everything golf fans love — unpredictable, atmospheric, and full of heart. From DiMarco’s fairytale start to Lowry’s emotional charge, from Tiger’s headlines to McIlroy’s relentless pursuit of history, every year delivers its own twist.
