Olazabal, Grace and DeChambeau among latest names announced for the field

Two-time US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and South African Branden Grace are among the latest batch of players to be confirmed for the line-up for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, presented by EGA, which starts on Thursday.

The 2015 champion Gary Stal, American Bryson DeChambeau, China’s Li Haotong and South Korea’s Seung-Su Han have also all received invitations from the Championship Committee to feature in the 126-man field at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Olazabal won both of his major titles at the Masters in 1994 and 1999 and then went on oversee Europe’s victory at the 2012 Ryder Cup against the United States at the Medinah Country Club.

Grace was 13th in Abu Dhabi 12 months ago and will be looking to maintain his early season good form that saw him finish runner-up at the South African Championship last week.

DeChambeau thrilled the Abu Dhabi crowds back in 2016 with an eight-under 64 on the first day to take the lead.

The American went into the weekend tied-second with Rory McIlroy before falling back over the final two days of competition.

“2018 is going to be a massive year for me and playing in Abu Dhabi is a great place to start,” the young American said.

“The field is looking really strong so I’m looking forward to testing myself against some of the best players in the world right now.”

Han is looking to build on a promising 2017 season, and he said: “It’s going to be a fantastic experience playing for the first time here in Abu Dhabi, especially with such a strong field this year.

“I’m just going to focus on my game and give the best account of myself that I can.

“I can’t wait to get out on the course.”