Westwood missed the cut in Abu Dhabi after citing problems with a new set of
irons before his title challenge in Qatar last week was halted after
cracking the face of his driver during the third round in Doha.
Westwood was unhappy with the replacement for the final round but the 36
year-old believes he has found a solution ahead of Thursday's first round at
Emirates Golf Club.
"I have been inundated with Ping drivers over the last couple of days and
I think we're gradually getting it sorted," the world No4 said. "I've
got three or four I can choose from, I'll just pick the best and then I will
have two or three back ups.
"I think around any golf course, long, straight driving is an asset and
that is one of my strongest weapons. But I feel like my short game has
nearly clicked into place where it was last year and my irons feel good. I
feel distance control is very good with this new set of irons.
"I have also had the wedges tested from last year and they passed the
groove test so I am using the same wedges as last year so the distance
control shouldn't be too much of an issue."
Rory McIlroy returns to the scene of his maiden victory 12 months ago looking
to convert a run of seven top-10 finishes in his last eight events into a
second career triumph.
Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer, a seemingly fully-fit Paul Casey and
Dubai-based Henrik Stenson complete the line up of five of the world's top
10, with world number 17 Robert Karlsson looking to build on last week's
impressive victory in Doha.
Like Westwood, 2007 champion Stenson has endured club-related problems of
late, although the Swede's driver troubles have stretched back much longer
than just last week.
The Players' Championship winner has recently opted to leave the driver in the
bag following a dip in confidence and use a three wood off the tee.
The 33 year-old has also struggled to adapt to his new irons following the new
groove rules, but is beginning to reap the rewards of hard work and time on
the practice range.
"There's a lot of guys on good form and I might not have been one of them
so far so I need to turn that around," said Stenson, who finished 64th
in Qatar last week.
"I had a decent finish in Abu Dhabi but I had a bad week last week. But
it feels like the game is coming together. I've had a good two days testing
new equipment.
"It's been a good couple of days getting the equipment dialled in so now
it's more (a case of) if I'm dialled in."
Open Championship runner-up Tom Watson also makes his first appearance at a
regular European Tour event since the 1993 German Masters over the Majlis
Course.
The 60-year-old has made a flying start to the year with victory in the first
event on the Champions Tour in Hawaii after partnering Jack Nicklaus to win
a charity skins game, although he has downplayed his chances of success this
week.
"I had not won for a couple of years and that's how I judge my year, if I
win a tournament. If I win, it's been a success," said the five-time
Open winner.
"But I had home advantage at the Open at Turnberry and I'm at a
disadvantage this week as I'm not on the right time and I'm playing a brand
new course."
Rhys Davies stunned by first European win in Hassan Trophy in Morocco 
