PGA European Tour - Tournaments

Dubai Desert Classic

Emirates GC

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

02 Feb 2006 - 05 Feb 2006

Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic

Woods beats Els after Classic duel

05 Feb 2006

The Dubai Desert Classic lived up to its top billing as World Number One Tiger Woods beat the defending champion Ernie Els in a sudden-death play-off after a classic final day duel over the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club. The two giants in world golf finished the regulation 72 holes tied on 19 under par 269 before Woods captured the title for the first time in three attempts at the first extra hole. As the drama unfolded, any one of half a dozen players could have lifted the title but in the end it was the greatest player of a generation who claimed the title and the €329,760 first prize.

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Hansen holds Dubai lead along with Woods

04 Feb 2006

Denmark's Anders Hansen had waited a decade for the chance to play alongside Tiger Woods - but now he has an opportunity for a repeat performance in the company of the World Number One after the pair drew a shot clear of the field after the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Hansen, winner of the PGA Championship in 2002, is joined in the final group for the second successive day by World Number Three, Retief Goosen, who seemed destined to lead going into the final day but for an uncharacteristic sloppy finish to his round.

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Eagle Finish Gives Goosen Share of Lead in Dubai

03 Feb 2006

Retief Goosen swooped with a glorious eagle three at the last hole to celebrate his 37th birthday in party fashion at the Emirates Golf Club. The South African struck a three iron to 20 feet and duly despatched the putt to tie Denmark’s Anders Hansen in the lead after the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Goosen, who had a sleepless night after learning that his young son, Leo, had been involved in a car accident close to his Surrey home, woke up in a golfing sense in time to post a round of 67 for a 13 under par total of 131.

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Woods Can't Hide his Disappointment

03 Feb 2006

Tiger Woods fired a second round 66 to sweep into the lead in the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club but wore the frustrated expression of a man who had just walked off having signed for ten strokes worse! Play at the Emirates was delayed by 55 minutes due to fog, but when the murky conditions gave way to bright sunshine, Woods set about the task of catching first round co-leaders Jamie Donaldson, Retief Goosen and Richard Green.

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Goosen in Three-Way Tie in Dubai

02 Feb 2006

World Number Three Retief Goosen shrugged off any signs of rust from a six week break as he burst out of the blocks in the Dubai Desert Classic with an eight under par 64 to share the first round lead with Australian Richard Green and Welshman Jamie Donaldson. It was a score that could not be matched in the afternoon session although World Number One Tiger Woods, his playing partner and Europe’s form horse Henrik Stenson of Sweden and local favourite, Dubai-based Scot Ross Bain, forced their way among the leaders.

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Goosen Races into Early Share of Lead in Dubai

02 Feb 2006

World Number Three Retief Goosen shrugged off any signs of rust from a six week break as he burst out of the blocks in the Dubai Desert Classic with an eight under par 64 to share the early clubhouse lead with Australian Richard Green and Welshman Jamie Donaldson. Goosen, who edged ahead of Phil Mickelson in the Official World Golf Rankings as he enjoyed a welcome rest, fired six birdies and an eagle in a faultless opening round at the Emirates Golf Club.

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Woods Hoping for Third Time Lucky

01 Feb 2006

Tiger Woods will be hoping to make it third time lucky as he heads into the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club tomorrow. Having burst out of the blocks with victory in his first tournament back after his winter break, when he didn’t touch a club for 24 days, the World Number One will be looking to go a step further than 2001 and 2004 to claim his first title in The Gulf.

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Glittering array of stars line up for the Dubai Desert Classic

31 Jan 2006

Ernie Els is well used to appearing in golf’s record books but the South African will attempt to make two further significant entries this week when he defends his title in the 17th staging of the Dubai Desert Classic on the majestic Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club.

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