Els, Clarke defend Challenge Match title at Jebel

BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2004 Dubai Desert Classic | General | 03 Mar 2004

The long-awaited return to Dubai of Tiger Woods drew a record crowd to the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa yesterday but it was defending champions Ernie Els and Darren Clarke who walked away with the trophy after edging Woods and partner Mark O’Meara in a mini play off in the annual pre-Desert Classic Challenge Match.

After the nine-hole shoot-out under a blazing sun, Els and Clarke were tied with Woods and O’Meara on 34 (-2) while a missed putt on the last by Thomas Bjorn cost he and playing partner Padraig Harrington a place in the play-off. Bjorn’s miss meant a bogey six and a round of 35 (-1).

While previous play-offs have involved chipping competitions from the edge of the green, Clarke had other ideas and the big Irishman quickly dragged Woods, Els and O’Meara to the bunker at the front of the putting surface.

With all four balls dropped in the sand, the winner would be determined by whoever got his bunker shot nearest the pin. And it was Clarke himself who proved to be the master from the sand, hitting his shot to within a few feet while Woods found himself just a few inches short.

It was a sizzling performance by all six as they entertained a crowd of over 2,000 spectators following the action over the immaculate greens and fairways of the Jebel Ali Resort Course. But while Els and Clarke collected the Challenge Match trophy, none of the six players managed a hole-in-one in the $1 million competition sponsored by The World.

Clarke’s game, like his new physique, certainly looks to be in strong shape going into the Classic. The big Irishman seems in good form both physically and mentally and he’ll be one to watch after going close in the recent WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship in California.

But all eyes will be on Woods and the American superstar was warmly welcomed back to Dubai by HE Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of the Dubai Desert Classic Executive Committee, and Khaled and Ziyad Bakr, representing the DUTCO Group of Companies. Today, Woods tees off in the Pro-Am where he will team-up with UAE juniors Rashid Alabbar, Fares Almazroui and Abdullah Almosharrekh. For the rising stars of UAE golf, it promises to be quite a day.

Source – Dubai Desert Classic