Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Tiger Woods knows he’ll have to be back to his best if he’s to regain the Dubai Desert Classic title he last won in 2008.

The world No.1 will be teeing it up at the Emirates Golf Club at the ‘Major of the Middle East’ for the first time in three years next February.

Woods’ hopes of defending his title were bunkered in 2009 by a knee injury that prevented him from playing for nearly a year. This year he didn’t play on the Majlis due to his five-month break from the game as he tried to save his marriage after the sex scandal that rocked the sporting world. And thanks to that unanticipated hiatus, Woods has struggled to recapture the form that saw him win a staggering 95 tournaments.

Since his return to the game at the US Masters, the American ace has missed cuts and failed to really challenge for a title, be it a regular US PGA Tour event or a Major.

However, he knows he cannot afford to bring his faulty form to the UAE next year if he is to win his third Desert Classic title.
“The level of competition has always been extremely high, so I know I’ll have to play my best golf if I’m going to regain my title,” Woods said. “It’s a great venue, the (Majlis) course is always in immaculate condition and the weather reminds me of back home in Florida.”

Woods has left an indelible imprint in Dubai since making his first visit to the emirate in 2001, having won the event twice (2006 and 2008) and finishing no worse than a tied fifth place during his previous five appearances in the famous tournament.

Two years ago he showed exactly why he’s won 14 Majors, as he came from behind on the back nine to beat regular victim Ernie Els.

Starting his final round, four strokes behind the South African, Woods played his last nine holes in six under par to finish with a 66 for a winning total of 14-under-par 274, a dramatic and brilliant victory.

Tournament organisers Golf in Dubai are delighted to welcome back Woods.

“Having the world’s greatest golfer play in your event is something many tournament organisers dream of; so for us to be able to welcome him to the Majlis Course for the sixth time in ten years is a major boost for golf in the Middle East, especially Dubai,” Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of Golf in Dubai, said.