World Number Five Ernie Els will be bidding for a record fourth Dubai Desert Classic title when The European Tour event gets underway later this month, a week before he headlines the field at the inaugural Emaar-MGF Indian Masters in Delhi.
The South African joins defending champion Henrik Stenson and World Number One Tiger Woods at the Emirates Golf Club as one of the leading contenders at the tournament, which runs from January 29 to February 2.
Last February Els came close to adding to his three previous victories in 1994, 2002 and 2005, but eventually finished one shot behind Stenson, his playing partner for four days, with Woods a further shot back.
The 38 year old, who also confirmed his appearance at the Emaar-MGF Indian Masters at Delhi Golf Club from February 7-10, will be hoping to go one better when he returns to the Majlis Course. He still holds the course record there thanks to the stunning 61 he posted in 1994, the year of his first victory in the Dubai Desert Classic.
Els, who is in the process of designing The Dunes course in Dubai’s Victory Heights golf residential complex, said: “The tournament is a huge attraction of Dubai. The Emirate has come a very long way since I started coming here in 1993.
“I always enjoy spending time in Dubai, and now I have even more reason to keep going there. I’m looking forward to my first proper game at The Dunes.”
Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI, the promoters and organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic, said: “With three wins to his name, Ernie has become synonymous with the Dubai Desert Classic. He is also one of our global ambassadors - something we are all proud of.
“No other player has won the Desert Classic twice, let alone three times, so Ernie will certainly be on familiar ground when he returns to Dubai. He also holds the course record at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course, and is a great supporter of golf in the Emirate.
“Ernie will also be the top draw in the Indian Masters, a European Tour event which golf in DUBAI is promoting and organizing on behalf of Emaar-MGF. We look forward to seeing some quality golf from one of the finest players in the world.”
‘Golf in DUBAI’ is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and Emirates NBD, Emaar, Jumeirah Hotels, Emirates airline, BMW, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Gulf News, Omega and CNN as partners in its drive to showcase the Emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
