Woods, Els head top class field in Dubai
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2006 Dubai Desert Classic | Preview | 01 Feb 2006
Even before the first ball is struck in the opening round of this week’s Dubai Classic, the event is already assured of success – at least in terms of profile and interest.
Tiger Woods steps outside of the US and anytime that happens, tournament organisers know they have a success on their hands in terms of turnstile numbers and exposure for sponsors. Add to Woods’ presence that of defending champion Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, the hottest player in European golf, Henrik Stenson, last year’s comeback player Colin Montgomerie and all is set for what should be a great contest.
Woods won last week at Torrey Pines but he did not have everything his own way and he has a real challenge to hold out the three time winner Els. Woods has played here in Dubai twice previously when runner up in 2001 and 5th in 2004. It is hard to imagine him not being a contender over the closing stages of the event. Last week when his game was not at its peak he found a way to win and with his first tournament under his belt in 2006, surely logic says he will be better for it.
Ernie Els clearly has an affinity with the Emirates Golf Club. Last year he edged out Stephen Dodd and Miguel Angel Jimenez to win by one and although he was not at his peak with his 13th place finish in Qatar, like Woods, he will be better for his first run in 2006.
Last year Colin Montgomerie finished fourth behind Els and went on to record a simply stunning return to the top of European golf. He was 6th two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi but he has won here and often plays well. He must be amongst those on Sunday to challenge Woods.
Retief Goosen won the South African Open late last year but he now returns to tournament golf after quite a break. For whatever reason, Goosen has not played here since he finished 17th in 2001 and did not play often before then. He will need to shake the rust off early in the event if he is not to give too much of an advantage to the likes of Woods, Els and company and as the current number three player in the world he will no doubt be keen to confirm the high standing he currently enjoys in the game. It is a bit hard to get too excited about his prospects given the issues above but he is all class.
Henrik Stenson has put together the most amazing record of late with numerous top fives over the last few months. It is always hard to follow up a win of the significance such of that enjoyed last week further up the Gulf in Qatar, but his level of consistency suggests he is not finished his run yet. Even though he lives just up the road in Sharjah he has not exactly flattered in his appearances here but he is such an improved player in recent times that he is likely to put together his best finish in Dubai this week.
There are several Australians in the field including Nick O’Hern who made a reasonable start to 2006 last week in Qatar when 19th. Perhaps surprisingly O’Hern has yet to play in Dubai but his form here, in what will be one of his last European Tour events this season before heading to the US to start a USPGA Tour career, will be watched with interest.
Richard Green kick started his professional career here in 1997 when he beat Ian Woosnam and Greg Norman in a surprise victory and the last eighteen months have seen him return to that level of golf. He is not quite as sharp at present as he was earlier through much of last year but he will no doubt enjoy fond memories of the Emirates Golf Club.
Other Australasians in the field are Peter O’Malley, David Smail who has no doubt received an invite to play here, Brett Rumford, Peter Fowler, Marcus Fraser and Wade Ormsby.
The Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course was opened in 1988 and designed by American Karl Litten. It was the first of now many grass courses in the region.
The tournament has prizemoney of US$2.4 million.
