TOUR NEWS:EUROPEAN NUMBER one Lee Westwood is eager to begin the defence of his Race to Dubai crown and pick up where he left off at this week's Abu Dhabi Championship. The consistent Westwood capped off another fine season in November with a brilliant victory at the Dubai World Championship to land a second Harry Vardon Trophy.

And after enjoying a Christmas break in Barbados, the world number four is ready to move on from last year starting at Abu Dhabi Golf Club today.

“I don’t think I have ever felt more eager for a new season. Although I enjoyed the time off, it was a long six weeks, especially with the snow at home, it makes you feel even keener to get out in the sun and start practising again,” said the 36 year-old.

Rory McIlroy, who will play a split schedule this year after taking up a USPGA Tour card, has reaffirmed his commitment to Europe by insisting the Race to Dubai remains a goal after being pipped to the European number one honours by Westwood last year.

“I haven’t written off the Race to Dubai as I will only be playing two or three fewer European Tour events. And if I can turn some of those top fives or top threes into a win, that will make a huge difference,” said McIlroy.

“The majors and World Golf Championship events can also help you towards that; it is still a big goal of mine. Winning the money title is as a result of playing well throughout the year, so if I can concentrate on trying to play well in all those tournaments and hopefully getting a few more wins then hopefully that can take care of itself.”

McIlroy is joined in Abu Dhabi by Graeme McDowell, Irish Open champion Shane Lowry, Joburg Open runner-up Darren Clarke, Peter Lawrie, Damien McGrane, Michael Hoey and Gareth Maybin.

Westwood headlines a stellar field for the start of the desert swing which includes eight of the world’s top 20, with defending champion Paul Casey looking to claim a third win in four years.

Last year Casey survived a late wobble to edge out Louis Oosthuizen and Martin Kaymer by a single shot, but returns this year still troubled by the rib injury which blighted last season.

“It was a fantastic year last year, but at some point you have to stick it in a box and move on, but still feed from the confidence I gained from last year, especially the end of the year and the last tournament”, said Westwood.

“I would feel disappointed if I didn’t achieve the same as last year, I think all players want to improve. But winning the money list, there’s not many places to go on from there other than winning it by more.

“But the majors are where I can improve the most because I haven’t won one and that’s everybody’s goal, it’s the yardstick by which all top professionals are measured.

“Obviously I feel like I should have won The Open last year, but didn’t and I learned a few things from that. So the more often you get into situations like that I feel more comfortable and I’m getting to the stage now where I should be in that position in most majors.”

Casey leapt to third in the world after winning the BMW PGA Championship and by claiming a maiden USPGA Tour title, but suffered the injury at the British Open and was ruled out for the remainder of the season apart from a brief but aborted comeback at the end of the year. He claimed 10th on his return at the SBS Championship in Hawaii at the start of the year, but heads to Abu Dhabi cautious after a prolonged lay-off.

“I think I’m 95 per cent. There’s no pain in the ribs where I tore the muscles. I don’t quite have the full range of motion that I would like,” said the world number eight.

“I’m still trying to get the range of motion. I am unable to swing the golf club like I was this time last year, but it’s still good enough to get it airborne.

“The goal is to stay healthy for 12 months and replicate the golf that I played last year. The golf I played last year was fantastic in the beginning and maybe there is a little bit of unfinished business.”

Geoff Ogilvy, fresh from his win in Hawaii earlier this month, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and last year’s runner-up and former champion Kaymer also tee off at The National course today.

Abu Dhabi Championship

Course: Abu Dhabi Golf Club

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Length: 7,152 yards. Par: 72.

Prizemoney: €1.5 million, €250,000 for the winner

Field: 124

Defending champion: Paul Casey

First played: 2006

Most wins: Paul Casey (two)

On TV: Sky Sports 1/2/3

Weather: Light showers for early tomorrow morning. Friday clear skies return and temperature highs upper 20s. Breezy at times Saturday. Sunday morning will see fog but sunshine will return once again in the afternoon.