PUTTING PROBLEMS HAMPER GARCIA

New year, same old problem ... Sergio Garcia may be on his way to taking over from Tiger Woods as world number one - but he is still having putting nightmares.

Garcia began his 2009 campaign in brilliant fashion at the Abu Dhabi Championship, grabbing three birdies and then a sparkling eagle in the first 10 holes.

That left the 29-year-old 'Race To Dubai' leader five under par and only one behind Swedes Johan Edfors and Mikael Lundberg - but on the next two greens he missed par putts of under three feet.

Because of an earlier two-hour hailstorm delay, there was time for Garcia to play only two more holes - and he will resume in the morning three under and joint 15th.

That still made it a better day for him than for great rival Padraig Harrington, Masters champion Trevor Immelman and Ryder Cup team-mate Henrik Stenson.

Harrington, back to third in the world this week and building towards his attempt at a third successive major victory at Augusta in April, had to be content with a one-under 71; Immelman shot 72, and Stenson 76 after a bizarre mishap on the 475-yard 16th.

After hitting into the dense rough, Stenson - twice a winner late last year - found a ball of the same type and number, but only after hitting it did the Swede discover it did not have his personal mark on it.

That meant a two-stroke penalty and a triple-bogey seven went on his card - all on the course where Stenson shot a record 62 two years ago.

Harrington, who had warned he would be somewhat rusty after going on holiday to South Africa for 18 days over Christmas, said: "I felt reasonably good.

"I was disappointed to make the bogey on six [his 15th] and had reasonable chances on the last two greens, so maybe a shot or two better would have been certainly what it felt like."

Immelman said: "I actually felt like I hit some nice shots

but couldn't get the putter to co-operate, so I need to work on that."

Edfors missed a golden opportunity to lead on his own when he three-putted the long 18th for par, but seven earlier birdies meant that was of no great concern to the 2006 Scottish Open champion.

Lundberg, whose two European Tour victories have both come at the Russian Open, kept a bogey off his card - and there could easily have been three Swedes at the top.

Former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin's 67 included a double-bogey six on the 16th, where he almost chipped in but then three-putted.

Sandelin shared third place overnight with 20-year-old rising English star Oliver Fisher, Italian Francesco Molinari, Spaniard Ignacio Garrido and South African Louis Oosthuizen.

Garrido has three holes to complete - and Oosthuizen, with six birdies in his last seven holes, has two left.

Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy, eagerly awaiting his Masters debut after charging into the world's top 40 little more than a year into his professional career, stood four under after 12 when the light went.

On the hailstorm, Molinari stated: "It was a bit of a surprise - you don't expect that to come down in the desert.

"It was a funny, new thing. I hope we won't get any of that in the next few days."

Collated first round scores in the European Tour The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

First round to be completed Friday following two-hour hailstorm delay

66 Mikael Lundberg (Swe), Johan Edfors (Swe)

67 Francesco Molinari (Ita), Jarmo Sandelin (Swe), Oliver Fisher

68 Jean-Baptiste Gonnet (Fra), Richard Green (Aus), Martin Kaymer (Ger), Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa), Andrew McLardy (Rsa)

69 Gary Murphy, Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Graeme Storm, Thongchai Jaidee (Tha), Thomas Levet (Fra)

70 Marc Warren, David Dixon, Chapchai Nirat (Tha), Mark Foster, Kenneth Ferrie

71 Mikko Ilonen (Fin), Martin Erlandsson (Swe), Soren Hansen (Den), Robert Dinwiddie, Steven Jeppesen (Swe), Simon Dyson, Peter Hedblom (Swe), Simon Wakefield, Robert Allenby (Aus), Richard Finch, Phillip Archer, Miles Tunnicliff, Sam Little, Padraig Harrington

72 Alvaro Velasco (Spa), Shiv Kapur (Ind), Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Ricardo Gonzalez (Arg), Pelle Edberg (Swe), Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den), John Bickerton, David Drysdale, Stephen Dodd, Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Ross McGowan, Gregory Havret (Fra)

73 Christian Cevaer (Fra), Thomas Bjorn (Den), Paul Lawrie, Alejandro Canizares (Spa), Scott Strange (Aus)

74 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Steve Webster, Niclas Fasth (Swe), Nick Dougherty

75 David Howell, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind)

76 Pablo Martin (Spa), Henrik Stenson (Swe), Jose Manuel Lara (Spa)

78 Benn Barham, Jamie Wood

79 Gregory Bourdy (Fra)


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STORM HITS ABU DHABI AGAIN

It was a case of 'Storm hits Middle East' for the second day running at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

But after the freak hailstorm that halted the opening round yesterday, this time it was Hartlepool's Graeme Storm who forced his way into the headlines.

Playing his first event since the Volvo Masters at the start of November, the 30-year-old former British amateur champion blasted a 64 containing an eagle and seven birdies.

Storm and playing partner Richard Green go into the weekend sharing top spot on 11 under par, the Australian left-hander going to the turn in 30 and finishing with a 65.

"We always play well together," said Storm, who took time off to work on his fitness with the same trainer who has helped Lee Westwood back into the world's top 10.

"I had a look at where I needed to improve and Pete (coach Pete Cowen) said I needed to get stronger. I've been working hard.

"I holed some great putts and that takes the pressure off the rest of your game."

Green is looking to climb back into the world's top 50 in time for The Masters in April - he is currently 63rd - and his performance revived memories of his play-off victory over Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam in nearby Dubai 12 years ago.

The 37-year-old from Melbourne was relatively unknown then, but two years ago finished fourth in The Open at Carnoustie.

Winner that week, of course, was Padraig Harrington, and the Dubliner, still the holder of the Claret Jug and now the US PGA as well, is chasing another victory.

Harrington, having opened with only a 71, charged to only four off the lead with a 66.

Anxious to get finished before the light went, the Dubliner played the last two holes at speed - out of character for a man once described by Retief Goosen as "no boy racer" - and birdied them both.

Ryder Cup team-mate and newly-wed Paul Casey, whose victory in the event two years ago was his last win, went one better than Harrington and on 10 under is joint third with Londoner Anthony Wall.

Nineteen-year-old Rory McIlroy is only two back and Colin Montgomerie matched his best round of last season with a 67 for five under.

Montgomerie was then inundated with questions about whether, as reported, he is a contender for the 2010 Ryder Cup captaincy rather than 2014 if favourite Jose Maria Olazabal turns it down.

The 45-year-old, having said it would be "a shame" if fellow Scot Sandy Lyle did not get the job, is part of the committee deciding the issue in two weeks' time.

So has an offer been made? "At this stage it has not," he said, while adding that it would be "an honour" to be selected.

World number two Sergio Garcia's 71 left him eight adrift and Masters champion Trevor Immelman is alongside him following a 69.

Just under 30 players have still to complete their second rounds, so the halfway cut will not be decided until the morning.

It will be either two under or one under and, either way, Ryder Cup stars Henrik Stenson and Miguel Angel Jimenez miss out.

Collated second round scores (Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 72):

Second round play has been suspended due to darkness & will be resumed on Saturday at 07.45hrs (GMT + 4hrs) local time

133 Richard Green (Aus) 68 65, Graeme Storm 69 64

134 Anthony Wall 67 67, Paul Casey 69 65

135 Brett Rumford (Aus) 68 67, Rory McIlroy 66 69, Johan Edfors (Swe) 66 69

136 Martin Kaymer (Ger) 68 68, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 67 69

137 Anders Hansen (Den) 70 67, Soren Hansen (Den) 71 66, Danny Willett 71 66, Ignacio Garrido (Spa) 67 70, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 68 69, Padraig Harrington 71 66

138 Danny Lee (Nzl) 68 70, Peter Hanson (Swe) 67 71

139 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 73 66, Marc Warren 70 69, Robert Allenby (Aus) 71 68, Colin Montgomerie 72 67, Scott Strange (Aus) 73 66

140 Robert Jan Derksen (Ned) 68 72, Stephen Gallacher 74 66, Oliver Wilson 69 71, Alvaro Quiros (Spa) 69 71, Bradley Dredge 71 69, Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) 71 69

141 Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 74 67, Soren Kjeldsen (Den) 72 69, Sergio Garcia (Spa) 70 71, Mark Brown (USA) 72 69, Daniel Vancsik (Arg) 72 69, Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 72 69, Gary Murphy 69 72, Alastair Forsyth 75 66, Jamie Donaldson 69 72, Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 71 70

142 Damien McGrane 70 72, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 70 72, Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 71 71, Ross Fisher 75 67, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 67 75, David Drysdale 72 70, Robert Rock 67 75, Chapchai Nirat (Tha) 70 72, Chinarat Phadungsil (Tha) 72 70, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Spa) 71 71, Paul McGinley 69 73

143 Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 72 71, Aaron Baddeley (Aus) 72 71, Gary Orr 75 68, Paul Lawrie 73 70, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 74 69, Peter Lawrie 73 70, Mads Vibe-Hastrup (Den) 72 71, Thomas Levet (Fra) 69 74

144 Stephen Dodd 72 72, Paul Waring 72 72, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa) 74 70, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (Ind) 75 69, David Lynn 73 71

145 Steve Webster 74 71, Alexander Noren (Swe) 74 71, Wen-chong Liang (Chn) 70 75, Rafael Echenique (Arg) 72 73, Ariel Canete (Arg) 75 70, Peter Hedblom (Swe) 71 74

146 Jean Van de velde (Fra) 73 73, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 76 70, Gregory Havret (Fra) 72 74, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 72 74

147 Anton Haig (Rsa) 76 71, Mikko Ilonen (Fin) 71 76, Marcel Siem (Ger) 75 72, Maarten Lafeber (Ned) 72 75, Kenneth Ferrie 70 77, Markus Brier (Aut) 77 70, Gregory Bourdy (Fra) 79 68, Pablo Martin (Spa) 76 71, Peter O'Malley (Aus) 75 72

148 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 73 75, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 73 75

149 Richie Ramsay 76 73, Scott Drummond 77 72, Jean-Francois Lucquin (Fra) 78 71, Jose Manuel Lara (Spa) 76 73

150 Christian Cevaer (Fra) 73 77, Per-Ulrik Johansson (Swe) 74 76

151 Paul Broadhurst 75 76

154 Lee Slattery 76 78


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IRISH OPEN BACK AT BALTRAY

TOUR APPOINT NORTHRIDGE

Nigel Northridge, former chief executive of Gallaher Group, has accepted an invitation to join the European Tour Board as non-executive Tour Group Director.

Board chairman Neil Coles said: "We are delighted that Nigel has agreed to join. This is a timely appointment coming as it does when we are on the cusp of a new era in the history of the Tour with the launching of the Race to Dubai.

"Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience from the international market place which will greatly support our continued development of the game globally."

Northridge, 52, commented: "I have had a passion for the sport of golf, in all its facets, since childhood and look forward to contributing to its future development."

During his 30 years at Gallaher he presided over a sponsorship programme which included the Benson and Hedges International Open, part of the European Tour from 1971 to 2003.


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BELIEF EARNS HANSEN REWARD

Anders Hansen has revealed that he knew he had the chance of winning the Joburg Open after looking at the scoreboard before the final round teed off on Sunday.

The 38-year-old won his third European title in the process after carding a final 66 at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club for a tournament total 15-under 269, edging out one of three overnight leaders Andrew McLardy by a stroke.

David Drysdale, who was also in front after round three, ended his tournament with a 69 for an overall total of 271, with Danny Willett, Tyrone van Aswegen and Charl Schwartzel - the other day three leader - a further shot back.

The man from Denmark though, won the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event, coming from a shot behind to eventually edge out South African McLardy.

He admitted afterward that a lack of experienced players at the top left him quietly confident that he could come back and win the R2.25 million (174,350 euros) prize.

"I knew the guys who were up there were not the typical winners who have won that many tournaments so maybe they won't take off and I was right," he said afterward. "After the first day, the leading score was eight.

"So it was after the second and third day that I played very well shooting seven-under only one behind going into today, so I knew I had a decent chance."

However, the win was by no means straightforward for Hansen, who was playing in the penultimate group ahead of McLardy.

He was level at 14-under with the home favourite going into the par-five 18th hole, but gave himself a great chance of winning by putting his second shot 25-feet from the hole.

The world number 90 missed the eagle chance, but made birdie from three feet with his rival blowing any chance of drawing level with a wayward tee shot on the 18th.

"(On the last) I was focused on just hitting a good drive and I did that. I hit a great second shot and the two putt was enough, so it's great.

"Today I played really nice on the front nine there and hit a lot of good shots, so it was really great.

"I think it means a lot to win obviously - because that's off course what we're here for. Especially after the first day where the first two holes I started double bogey-bogey and think 'what is this'? But I turned that round around."

Hansen's previous two victories came at the same PGA Championship in 2002 and 2007.

He added: "Yes, that (victory at a different tournament) is probably the most pleasing thing about winning here. After winning the PGA twice and then to win here, it's nice to win somewhere else."


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AB'S FAB FOR KAYMER

Defending champion Martin Kaymer admits returning to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships this week will bring back some fond memories.

The 24-year-old clinched his maiden European Tour victory there a year ago, and then went on to enjoy a superb season, winning the BMW International and ending up eighth on the Order of Merit.

"That was my first win on the European Tour so that's always very special," said Kaymer, who narrowly missed out on a place in Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup team.

"It was a big event and I won the first tournament of the year so that gave me a lot of motivation for the rest of the season.

"The win over here was very important to me, especially early in my career. It showed that I could win a tournament.

"It was very special when I came to the golf club yesterday. It was nice to walk down the 18th yesterday. It was a very special moment for me last year."

Englishman Paul Casey will also be among a strong field at the United Arab Emirates tournament and is feeling confident and refreshed after a month's break.

"I'm very much looking forward to 2009," said the 31-year-old.

"I feel like I have prepared well. I had some nice time off after the HSBC Champions, and then played Tiger's event (the Chevron World Challenge last month) and used that to review aspects I needed to knuckle down hard on and worked very hard for the last two weeks before coming here.

"I feel good about the game and I'm looking forward to having a good 2009."


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ASIANS BREAK ROYAL TROPHY DUCK

Asia held off a final-day singles resurgence from Europe to lift The Royal Trophy for the first time with a 10-6 triumph at Amata Spring Country Club near Bangkok.

After establishing a five-point advantage after the first two days of the Ryder Cup-style matchplay event, Asia required just two points from the eight singles duels.

Prayad Marksaeng defeated Pablo Larrazabal 5&4 after Paul Lawrie had claimed a 3&2 triumph over Liang Wen-chong before Toru Taniguchi sank the winning putt as he romped to a 7&6 record success over Niclas Fasth.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal - deputising for close friend and victorious 2006 and 2007 skipper Seve Ballesteros, who is recovering from surgery on a brain tumour - had hoped for a special performance from his team but Asia prevailed.

Paul Lawrie won the day's second match but woeful performances from Larrazabal and Fasth, playing in the fourth and seventh matches respectively, helped Asia to an unassailable lead.

Nick Dougherty, Oliver Wilson and Johan Edfors recorded their first points of the week, but their wins were ultimately in vain as Asia emerged victorious.

Olazabal congratulated Joe Ozaki's Asian team for their triumph before hinting Ballesteros would return to reclaim the trophy in 2010.

"My last words are for Seve," said the Spaniard as he addressed his eight-man team.

"He is recovering from some health issues, but even though I'm the captain this year, I might not be the captain next year - and I can assure you he is going to be tougher than I was."

The 42-year-old promised Europe would learn from the loss.

"I want to thank my players for trying hard this week," he added.

"We lost, it hurts but that will make us better in the future."

Final-day results

(Team Europe names first):

Singles

Soren Hansen (Den) halved with Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn)

Paul Lawrie (Sco) bt Wen-chong Liang (Chn) 3 and 2

Nick Dougherty (Eng) bt Charlie Wi (Kor) 1 up

Pablo Larrazabal (Spa) lost to Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 5 and 4

Oliver Wilson (Eng) bt Hideto Tanihara (Jpn) 3 and 2

Johan Edfors (Swe) bt S K Ho (Kor) 5 and 4

Niclas Fasth (Swe) lost to to Toru Taniguchi (Jpn) 7 and 6

Paul McGinley (Irl) lost to Thongchai Jaidee (Tha) 5 & 4

Match result: Asia bt Europe 10-6


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ASIA EDGE AHEAD

NO RUSH OVER CUP CAPTAINCY

The decision on who takes over from Nick Faldo as Europe's Ryder Cup captain seems unlikely to be made before May.

But Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, chairman of the tournament committee that will discuss the position in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, has insisted that any delay would not be to allow Jose Maria Olazabal more time to make up his mind whether he wants to be in charge in Wales next year.

"I'm not naming any names, but we are not holding out for anybody," said Bjorn. "We need to think long and hard about it.

"The list of candidates is long and the longer we take the longer it will probably get, but we're not putting ourselves in a position where we have to announce it tomorrow.

"We want to go through all the factors that come into being Ryder Cup captain. There have been a lot of feelings expressed about this captaincy and the last one and we want that to settle.

"We are going to take our time. We don't need to decide tomorrow - the time when we do is before the points start in September.

"I would not be surprised if we don't announce it tomorrow. It's not set in stone.

"There are some very good candidates for many years to come."

Olazabal, captain of the European team beaten by Asia in the Royal Trophy in Bangkok at the weekend, said there: "I would love to be considered, I'm not going to deny that.

"I would love to be playing and I think maybe it is too soon, but time will tell."

Sandy Lyle, 2004 captain Ian Woosnam and Miguel Angel Jimenez have also had their names mentioned and Lyle has the support of Colin Montgomerie, a member of the tournament committee who is fully expected to be captain himself at Gleneagles in 2014.

Woosnam, of course, was the subject of an astonishing attack by Bjorn after the Welshman named Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood as his two wild cards for the K Club clash.

"Not my finest hour and that will hang over me for ever," stated Bjorn. "But things have to move on. You get emotional at times and I regret what happened, but I have dealt with it the best way I can and I am sure it's not at the forefront of Woosie's mind."

Bjorn was fined for his comments, but his standing rose again when he was chosen to succeed Jamie Spence as chairman of the players' body.

He went on to have his worst-ever season on the European Tour, dropping outside the top 100 on the Order of Merit and to 200th in the world, but puts that down to short game problems and a loss of confidence rather than the burdens of his new position.

"I'd like to think I can still challenge for the next Ryder Cup," added the 37-year-old, a member of the 1997 and 2002 winning teams.

"But it's certainly getting more difficult - the talent we have is huge."


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