World No 1 Tiger Woods will head an all-star line-up featuring six of the world's biggest golfing names when the Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort hosts the annual nine-hole Challenge Match on February 27.

The private and invitation-only event has traditionally provided a fitting curtain-raiser to the Dubai Desert Classic in the past, and following yesterday's official draw for the event, is likely to serve up another classic confrontation.

The formidable line-up includes European No 1 Lee Westwood (England), seven-times European Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), European No 2 and defending champion Darren Clarke (Northern Ireland), former double major winner Mark O'Meara and BMW German Open winner and British Open runner-up Thomas Bjorn of Denmark

By remarkable coincidence the draw pitted the six players into team's that they would customarily have slotted into - Woods was teamed with his buddy O'Meara, Westwood drew Clarke while Montgomerie was pitted with Bjorn.

"We are absolutely thrilled that when Tiger Woods hits his first ever competitive golf shot in the Middle East, it will be at the Jebel Ali Golf Course," said Mohammed Geziry, the hotel's General Manager at a press conference yesterday. "The team's are equally fascinating and we can expect some fireworks on the day.

"The Challenge Match is one of the highlights of the UAE sporting calendar and we are proud to see such a strong line-up of players coming to our course.

"We are enjoying our association with the Dubai Desert Classic and I can assure you that arrangements are in place to ensure that the Challenge Match will be a big success."

Tournament Director Bob Wilkinson emphasised the significance of the Challenge Match in context to the Dubai Desert Classic and made special note of the 'dream pairings' after joining Geziry and Wahid Attala, General Manager of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Jebel Ali Hotel's Director of Golf, James Williams, in the draw.

"The Challenge Match is normally a great success as the players and the spectators always seem to have a good time," said Wilkinson. "It's like a big garden party. The atmosphere is brilliant and spectators will have an opportunity to have different perspectives of the players making their shots.

"It also gives the players a chance to perform in enjoyable and relaxed surroundings, while helping them acclimatise to the conditions and get in some practice ahead of the Classic. It's a very unique and positive exercise."

Commenting on the draw DWTC's Attala said, "Going by the pairings the Challenge Match should prove to be a great prelude to the Dubai Desert Classic. We couldn't have asked for a better line-up and perhaps, even better pairings. It's absolutely wonderful."

The Challenge Match has been a fixture of the Dubai Desert Classic since the tournament's inception, although it made it's debut at the Jebel Ali Golf Course only in 1999.

Last year Westwood paired up with Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal to win the event with a 2-under par 34 score. It was Olazabal's second win in a row at the Jebel Ali Course. The Challenge is a greensomes alternate-shot format event.

Though enquiries from golf enthusiasts for the event are overwhelming, the Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort has decided to restrict admission to a maximum of 2,500 people, many of the them guests of corporate clients.

"We are confident that by restricting the number of spectators, we can maintain an intimate and enjoyable atmosphere for the spectators and players, that has made the match such a success in previous years," said Geriry.

Entry to the event is Dhs 700 including a full buffet lunch and all beverages. Alternative table bookings are available for a price of Dhs 6,500.

The Dubai Desert Classic is sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and organised and promoted by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

For enquiries on the Jebel Ali Hotel Challenge Match call 04-883600. Last date for applications to attend the match is February 20.