Spain’s big-hitting Alvaro Quiros has captured three of the four European Tour events in the Middle East but has played down his chances of adding this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship to his victory resume.
Quiros, who turned 28 last Saturday, is returning to competition after capturing last month’s 2011 season-ending Dubai World Championship.
It was the Spaniard’s sixth Tour success and his third in the Middle East after winning the Dubai Desert Classic earlier in 2011 and on top of success in the 2009 Qatar Masters.
But after an off-season where he’s cut down on his practice, Quiros believes he will be disadvantaged in seeking to win the only other Middle East title to avoid him.
Bernie walking with Alvaro Quiros during practice on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. (Photo - Stuart Adams.)
“In contrast to past years I have not practiced as much over the Christmas period as I have done before the start of a new season,” he said.
“I just needed a longer break especially after winning the Dubai World Championship.
“It was not as though I was tired and it’s just that the Tour is starting far too early and every single year is finishing later.
“Also for this year I want to see if I can do things in a different way and besides I am playing these three weeks including defending in Dubai.”
If Quiros were to succeed this week in the UAE capital he would become the first player to add his name to the four Middle East events.
However the Cadiz-born player was at a lost to explain his success in this part of the world.
“Everybody seems to be crazy about how well I have played in the Middle East but I feel as though I haven’t played that well over here,” he added.
“The greens are always very tough for the three weeks over here and the wind conditions can be tough too.
“And while Qatar is a longer course and does suit my driving, here in Abu Dhabi I have not played that good yet.
“If you analyse it I honestly don’t think the courses are an advantage for me, and you look at the Emirates Club where I will defend the Desert Classic in a few weeks, and it’s not that long.
“So I come here to Abu Dhabi not having finished top-10 in the five years I have been playing here.”
That aside, Quiros, who is currently ranked 22nd in the world, would dearly love to again finish in front of the Tiger Woods, presently ranked 25th, just as he did in capturing last year’s Dubai Desert Classic.
“It is a good thing that Tiger has decided to start his second here in Abu Dhabi as he has not played here before,” said Quiros.
“It’s good for the European Tour and all the players whenever Tiger comes to contest a European Tour event.
“Tiger’s not in the same position on the world rankings he was this time last year when he played in Dubai but like me he won his last tournament.
“So even though I have not played well here in Abu Dhabi anytime you can finish ahead of Tiger in a tournament who have to consider you have played pretty well.”
