Welshman Jamie Donaldson will face three of the world's top 11 players and the European Tour's hottest young talent when he defends his Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship title at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, 16 - 19 January 2014.

Rory McIlroy, the world number three; Justin Rose, the reigning US Open champion and world number five; Luke Donald, the world number 11, and Abu Dhabi's record-breaking global golf ambassador, Matteo Manassero, the world number 28, have all staked their claims on the Championship's coveted Falcon Trophy and the US$ 2.7million prize fund - the richest purse offered on the Desert Swing, the European Tour's trio of early-season, regional events.

Through its specialist one-stop-shop 'Golf in Abu Dhabi' initiative, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has launched a series of 'Play, Stay and Watch' packages for international spectators and golf tourists to take in the Championship. 

Based around three, five and seven-night breaks, varying options for flights, on-the-ground transfers, accommodation, tee-times at the emirate's six diverse golf courses and access to most of Abu Dhabi's leading leisure and culture-based attractions ensure packages can be tailored to suit all budgets.

Additionally, international travellers booking seven-night packages will receive a complimentary VIP group clinic at the Championship with a world top 30 player. To find out more about the packages or to book a tailored Championship experience, visit: www.golfinabudhabi.com 

Available via the event's official website - www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com - and www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Abu-Dhabi-HSBC-Golf-Championship-tickets, Championship tickets are priced at £9 for a daily pass and £26 for a four-day pass, while a 20 per cent 'early bird' discount is available on all Championship tickets booked before 31 October.

A new-look Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship website featuring information on Abu Dhabi Golf Club, the star-studded playing field and the world-class line-up of family-friendly activations in the HSBC Championship Village, is due to launch in October.

Fans can also follow the Championship online and via various social media:
Website: www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com
Facebook: Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Twitter: @adgolfchamps / #adunexpected

After being made an Honorary Life Member of The European Tour last year, Donald, a former world number one, is one of the giants tipped for Abu Dhabi glory. "After a break through Christmas and the New Year, Abu Dhabi is a huge stage where the world's very best players are all looking to start a fresh season with victory. The size and scope of the tournament creates real early season buzz and there's always a genuine sense of anticipation as everybody guesses over who'll find their form first - it's fantastic to be a part of that," said Donald, who visited the 300-metre high sand dunes of Abu Dhabi's Liwa Desert - dubbed 'the world's biggest bunkers' - on his last visit to the emirate in 2012. 

"Although the Championship is renowned for throwing up surprises, our commitment to delivering a world-class field is unwavering. While nothing is certain in golf, we can guarantee the Championship will feature four days of unrelenting on-course drama and a pioneering off-course village activation led by our unbelievably supportive title sponsor," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau, TCA Abu Dhabi. 

HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events Giles Morgan said: "As a centre of international trade Abu Dhabi is the perfect location for a high profile HSBC event. We invested here because we saw there was an opportunity for growth and that we could be the catalyst for that growth; the tournament is now a key part of our global golf programme and through our partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority we are now looking to drive the Championship - and the game of golf - to the next level in the Arabian Gulf."

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For more information please contact:
Results PRHelen Batte/Jasmin Othman/Felicity Thompson
Telephone: +44 (0)203 440 8924
Email: TeamAbuDhabi@resultspr.co.uk

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority:
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

TCA Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.