From DP World Tour
Richard Sterne’s remarkable career roller coaster was back “on the up” at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as the veteran South African carded a brilliant 64 on day one on Thursday at Yas Links.
The 44-year-old is the only player in the field for this week’s 20th edition who also played in the first in 2006, and the years in between have brought both glory and pain in his career.
He has claimed five of his six DP World Tour titles in that time but also been forced into several seasons where his appearances were limited to single figures due to a host of injury problems.
After his last back surgery, it was uncertain whether he would even be able to compete at tour level again but after playing just 21 events between 2020 and 2024 and a slow start to this season, he is fighting his way back to the top table.
A third-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship which was his best since 2019 sneaked him into the Play-Offs and he is confident he can now challenge for a Rolex Series win this week if his body allows.
“It’s kind of special,” he said of being the only player to have played this event in 2006 and 2025.
“I think I’m probably the oldest player in the field as well. I used to be one of the youngest and now I’m one of the oldest so things change, I’ve been trying to adapt to the changes.
“I’ve had a lot of issues over the last few years with injuries and operations and procedures and it’s taken a lot longer than I would have liked but it seems to be on the up.
“I had a hip operation, I’ve had three wrist surgeries, I’ve got a titanium disc in my lower back. I’ve had some big operations and it was tough to come back and I‘ve still got to put a lot of effort in to keep playing.
“I don’t think they were very positive that I’d be able to compete when I had the back surgery. To get back to this level is something that hasn’t been tested too often, I think there’s only one or two players with it that are still playing.
“I put in hard effort in the gym for 18 months just to get back here and thank goodness that I did.
“The Dunhill gave me a lot of confidence, I played well and I putted decently and I could compete. As long as I feel like I can still compete out here when I’m playing close to my best then that gives me a good feeling. You don’t want to come out here and just make up the numbers and finish 30th or 40th if you’re playing well.”
Yas Island and Yas Links did not exist when Sterne made his way to Abu Dhabi Golf Club 19 years ago but have since developed into world-class golf and leisure destinations.
Sterne has a taste for the UAE having finished second at this event in 2019 and in neighbouring Dubai in 2013 and believes it is ‘special’ playing in this part of the world.
“The tournament has grown from strength to strength, it’s changed from a regular event to Rolex Series to where it is now,” he said.
“This course is in immaculate condition. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a golf course ever as pure as this, the fairways are the best I’ve ever seen. It’s special playing here and it’s good that the top players are supporting it as well.
“I enjoy it, I’ve had second here in this event, second in Dubai, I’ve come close a few times so it would be nice to just have a chance going into the weekend. I’m going to need to keep scoring, the scoring is going to be low and you’re going to have to keep pushing.”
After hitting the opening tee shot of the day, Sterne made five birdies and an eagle on the front nine to turn in 29 and briefly led by four.
A pair of bogeys on the back nine slowed his progress but he finished in spectacular style, holing from 75 feet for eagle.
“A very good start to the round,” he said. “I think it’s the second time in my career I’ve shot 29 so it doesn’t happen very often so it’s quite special.
“I struggled a bit on the back nine, a couple of weak bogeys, but finished with amazing putt so that made up for that.”
