World Number Eight Padraig Harrington has added his name to the 15th Dubai Desert Classic, further boosting an impressive field for the $2 million event, to be played at the Emirates Golf Club from March 4-7.
“Padraig Harrington is one of the most popular players to have visited the Dubai Desert Classic so we are naturally delighted that he has agreed to return in 2004,” said HE Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of the Dubai Desert Classic Executive Committee, the organisers and promoters of the tournament.
Harrington is one of European golf’’s top performers, winning eight times on The European Tour International Schedule. Over the past three seasons he has finished runner-up twice (2001 and 2002) and third last year in the Volvo Order of Merit.
His best finish in the Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)-sponsored Dubai Desert Classic was tied second with Tiger Woods three years ago.
A member of Europe’’s victorious 2002 Ryder Cup Team, Harrington will again come face-to-face in Dubai with World Number One Woods – the man he beat in the American’’s very own tournament, the Target World Challenge, in December 2002 to land a cheque for $1 million. European Tour Number One and World Number Three Ernie Els is another player to have confirmed his participation.
Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic, CNN International, The World by Al Nakheel and Arabian Ranches by Emaar as co-sponsors, other sponsors include Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor, official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa and official courtesy car BMW.
