Els Joins Woods, Goosen and Monty in star-studded line-up
Dubai (UAE): After missing the latter half of the 2005 season with injury, Ernie Els will be hunting for an unprecedented fourth Dubai Desert Classic title when he joins Tiger Woods, Retief Goosen and Colin Montgomerie at the Emirates Golf Club from February 2-5, 2006
The South African is the defending champion having won the event in March to add to his Classic wins in 1994 and 2002 but endured five months away from the fairways following surgery to his left knee and intensive rehab.
This week he made his comeback in the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa as he kick starts what he calls "the second half of my career."
"With three wins to his name, Ernie Els has become synonymous with the Dubai Desert Classic," said HE Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Golf in DUBAI (GiD), organisers and promoters of the $2.4 million PGA European Tour event, sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL).
"No other player has won the Desert Classic twice never mind three times so he’ll certainly be on familiar ground when he returns in February. With Tiger Woods and Retief Goosen also confirmed in the line-up, I think it’s fair to say we are looking at one of the strongest line ups in Classic history."
As well as having three Desert Classic crowns under his belt, Els also holds the course record at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course and is a great supporter of golf in the emirate. This year, however, he has had time to reflect on his life and approaches the new season in a fresh frame of mind.
"I’m just fortunate to have my health back; to be playing again," said the three-time Major winner. "The last 20 weeks or so have been a period of reflection for me. I’m lucky enough to have become wealthy through playing this game, but if you don’t have your health you’ve really got nothing.
"But my doctors are happy that everything is nicely healed, although I think I may be in need of another six months or so before I’m absolutely 100 percent."
The "second half" of his career comes after a five month break following a fabulous first half which brought him two US Opens and a British Open, a record-equalling six World Match Play titles and over 50 worldwide wins. "I look at Vijay Singh and he’s winning Majors in his forties," he added "I’ve just turned 36 so I figure I’ve still got ten good years ahead of me to achieve my goals."
The news that Els is back in the swing and heading for Dubai again will be welcomed by his legions of fans in the region. Els is undoubtedly one of the most popular players ever to have played in Dubai and the prospect of another head-to-head between him and world number one Woods is sure to attract another capacity crowd.
In addition to his affection for the Emirates Golf Club, he is also putting his design footprints on the emirate’s golfing landscape with ‘The Dunes’ course located in the Victory Heights golf residential development, which is a part of Dubai Sports City.
Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor, CNN International, The World by Nakheel, Arabian Ranches by Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other Desert Classic sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.
Contact:
Alan Ewens
Dubai Desert Classic Media Manager
Tel/Fax: 04 3512887
Mob: 050 4514188
e-mail: alan2804@emirates.net.ae
