The tournament usually boasts one of the strongest fields of the season thanks to a healthy dose of appearance money and its elevated status as a Rolex Series event though that is less evident this year.

There are, however, several LIV Golf stars among those teeing up this week, which perhaps goes some way to explaining why Rory McIlroy is skipping the event for the first time since 2008.

The Northern Irishman has a remarkable record at Abu Dhabi without ever winning including four times finishing third and another four runners-up.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Thomas Pieters claimed his sixth DP World Tour title with a one shot victory over Rafa Cabrera Bello in 2022.

The Belgian star began the final round one shot behind 54-hole leader Scott Jamieson but took a share of the lead at the first hole of the day when the Scot dropped a shot.

In difficult scoring conditions which saw just 15 players return scores under 70, Pieters played steady golf for a 72 which saw him finish 10-under-par and the only player double digits into red figures.

RIGHT: Thomas Pieters reached 10-under last year and took home a sixth European Tour trophy. PHOTO: Luke Walker/Getty Images.

COURSE: After 14 years at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club there was much anticipation about the move to Yas Links last year and the course certainly delivered.

Designed by Kyle Phillips of Kingsbarns fame, the layout opened in 2010 to rave reviews and there was much anticipation ahead of last year’s tournament.

As last year’s scoring indicates, the field found the course and conditions plenty challenging and there is no reason to think things won’t be equally interesting this year.

Sitting on an island created as part of a multi-billion dollar development, the course took three years to build and despite its location in the Middle East has a remarkably links feel.

With fairways on the wide side and featuring short grass aplenty around the greens, the course is a test of both imagination and execution.

One enduring reaction to the course from its debut in 2022 was that of then defending champion Tyrrell Hatton to the par-5 closing hole.

After carding a double bogey there in the second round and a tournament destroying quadruple bogey nine in the third round, the Englishman didn’t hold back.

“I would love for a bomb to drop on it and blow it to oblivion to be honest,” he said after the tournament finished last year.

Despite receiving highly positive reviews, the 18th at Yas Links is far from Tyrrell Hatton's favourite hole in world golf. PHOTO: Luke Walker/Getty Images.

“It's just such a terrible finishing hole. And the fact that they moved the tee back today is ridiculous. I hit a really good tee shot and still had 290 (yards to the) front. I could peg-up a driver and still not get there. It would be a much better finishing hole if you're actually rewarded for hitting the fairway, which as it stands, you're not.”

Despite hinting he found the hole so loathsome he may not return if it wasn’t redesigned, Hatton will take his place in the field this week.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$9,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The shifting sands of professional golf over the last 12 months have done little for this tournament it would seem.

In 2022 three of the world’s top-10 players were in this field but this year there are none (though it is still sure to be an entertaining week).

At 20th in the world Shane Lowry boasts the highest ranking and after some less than stellar play his thrilling singles match against Francesco Molinari at last week’s Hero Cup will have given him some confidence heading into the week.

A former winner of the event, the Irishman was thereabouts last year at Yas Links until an uncharacteristic final round 77 dropped him from second place to outside the top-10.

Lowry will be looking to make amends for that stumble and on a course where he shot two rounds of 67 last year the task is certainly not beyond him.

While it would be no surprise to see Lowry at the pointy end of the leaderboard come Sunday that hasn’t been a regular occurrence of late for 2018 Open champion Francesco Molinari.

The likeable Italian has struggled with injury in recent years and, coupled with Covid and associated turmoil, has been absent from contention for some time.

However, he looked rejuvenated last week when playing captain at the Hero Cup and produced some brilliant golf in his Sunday singles match with Lowry including getting to four-under through five holes.

Molinari has extra incentive to play well in 2023 given the Ryder Cup will be played in Rome in September and he will be desperate to be on that team.

As a Rolex Series event this week there are double Ryder Cup points on offer and that alone might be enough to motivate the 40-year-old.

Of those who played last week’s Hero Cup Jordan Smith stood out on a losing team as did captain Tommy Fleetwood.

But perhaps much of the attention in coming days will be on high profile LIV players in the field, 2020 champion Lee Westwood, Patrick Reed and Henrik Stenson among them.

There is plenty of friction between the Tour and LIV players and some of that is bound to include from players loyal to the Tour.

72-HOLE RECORD: 264 (-24, Martin Kaymer, 2011)

COURSE RECORD: 63 (Scott Jamieson, 2022)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Min Woo Lee and Jason Scrivener.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 6:30pm – 12:30am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 6:30pm – 12:20am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 6pm – 12am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 LIVE 6pm – 12am)
*AEDT, check local guides