By Kent Gray
Tommy Fleetwood will again have to overcome former world No.1 Dustin Johnson if he is to celebrate his 28th birthday in style by claiming an unprecedented hat-trick at January’s $7 million Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Johnson, ranked No.3 in the latest Official World Golf Rankings, has been confirmed for his third successive tilt at the famed Falcon Trophy when the Desert Swing opener makes its bow as one of the European Tour’s eight elite Rolex Series events from Jan. 16-19.

Fleetwood was also confirmed for Abu Dhabi Golf Club on Monday. The Englishman, a four from five point contributor to Europe’s Ryder Cup win at Le Golf National in September, will celebrate his birthday on the Saturday of the 14th Abu Dhabi Championship presented by EGA – incidentally the final round as the event moves from golf’s traditional Thursday-Sunday time-slot to accommodate football’s 2019 Asian Cup across the UAE.

The reigning Race to Dubai champion edged Johnson by a shot, 271 to 272, to win his first Falcon Trophy in 2017 and was even more impressive in his successful title defence last season, winning with a 266 aggregate – 22 under par – as Johnson finished T-9 on 274.

“I have had an amazing couple of years and it all really started at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA. The 2017 win was massive but then I think defending my title earlier this year was very special as it is extremely tough to do,” Fleetwood, the world No.10, said in a statement.

“I think it is one of the strongest events on tour and it so deserves its place on the Rolex Series and I know this will be a popular decision amongst the players. I love everything about Abu Dhabi, from the course to the hotels to the restaurants and, of course, returning as the defending champion. I can’t wait to be back in January.”

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Tommy Fleetwood will chase a hat-trick of Falcon Trophy wins at the rescheduled Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Fleetwood would equal Martin Kaymer (2008, 2010, 2011) as a three-time champion if he can win in January but would create history as the first player to achieve the hat-trick in successive years.

Johnson famously finished runner-up two seasons ago despite negotiating Abu Dhabi’s four par fives in just a combined five under par – a slender return for one of the game’s heaviest hitters. Indeed, the 34-year-old American, a 19-time winner in the PGA Tour and 2016 U.S. Open champion, will be cognizant of opening both his campaigns in the UAE capital with even par 72s.    

“Having played the event for the last two years, I’m really looking forward to returning. I enjoy being in Abu Dhabi and have made several friends during my visits,” said Johnson.

“The golf course is one of the best and most well-conditioned. We play all-year and it always presents a good, fair test. I’ve played OK there in the past, but hopefully, this will be my year to get the win.”