Dubai: World number five Ernie Els will be eying a record fourth Dubai Desert Classic title when he joins defending champion Tiger Woods in the star-studded line-up for the European PGA Tour event, which gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club from February 1-4.
The golf in DUBAI ambassador from South Africa came close to achieving the unique feat in February last year, but his hopes were drowned in the huge lake guarding the 18th green of the Majlis course.
In a sudden-death playoff with the world number one, Els pulled his four-iron approach from the bushes into water, leaving Woods with the simple task of making a par on the closing hole which he made without any mishap to win his first title in Dubai in three appearances.
Els had played a similar shot a few years ago to perfection, but this time his aggressive approach didn't work.
"Yeah, exactly, that was the shot I was trying to hit again. I had a 4-iron again and I was trying … 198 front, 210 yards. I had to hit it perfect but I had a half decent lie, and it almost worked. A yard or two out. So, one of those things," said the winner of the Classic titles in 2005, 2002 and 1994.
Looking sharp as ever after his recent victory at the South African Open in December, Els will be hoping to go one better this time when he returns to the Majlis course, his happy hunting ground and where he still holds the course record thanks to a stunning 61 he posted in 1994, the year of his first victory.
Designer course
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.
"The tournament is a huge attraction of Dubai. The emirate has come a very long way since I've been coming here since 1993," said Els.
"With three wins to his name, Ernie has become synonymous with the Dubai Desert Classic and he is also one of our global ambassadors, something which we are all proud of," said Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice-chairman of golf in DUBAI, the promoters and organisers of the Classic.
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