Omega Desert Classic to scale new heights

Dubai: The Omega Dubai Desert Classic will scale new heights when, for the first time, the world's number one, two and three players will line up for honours at the European Tour event, at the Emirates Golf Club, from February 7 to 13.

Never before in the history of golf in the Middle East have the top three golfers in the world rankings entered a tournament.

However, a new chapter will be written when world number one Lee Westwood will join the new number two Martin Kaymer, who relegated Tiger Woods to third place after his thumping eight-shot win at Abu Dhabi.

Woods posted a score of 14-under to win the event, just one shot ahead of Germany's Kaymer.

Whether the rankings stay the same or change will depend on how these three superstars fare in the run-up to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but whatever the outcome, the fans can expect a feast of golf from a top-class field which also includes defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and Asia number one Seung Yul Noh — among other supremely-gifted players.

Europeans now occupy three of the top-five and six of the top-10 positions in the official world rankings, but Woods' return to Dubai since will generate special interest as he will be aiming for a third win to match the feat of South Africa's Ernie Els. "I always enjoy going to Dubai and I like playing in the tournament.

‘Golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor.

The co-sponsors are CNN, Emirates, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the patrons.