Major heroes off to Middle East

GOLF’S four current major champions and the world number one are all in the same place this week — but it is Abu Dhabi, and not the US Tour.

The power shift between the European and American circuits is even more marked, with Masters champion Phil Mickelson making his Middle East debut and competing against Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen.

At the five-day Bob Hope Classic in California starting today, the top-ranked player on view is world number 13 Matt Kuchar and the only major winner from the past seven seasons is Stewart Cink.

The pro-am format of the Bob Hope always attracts a long list of celebrities, this time including ex-boxing world champion Sugar Ray Leonard, rock legend Alice Cooper and Hollywood star Kurt Russell.