World number one Tiger Woods will lead the title charge when the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic is staged at the Emirates Golf Club's Majlis Course from February 2-5.
Sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), the 17th staging of the PGA European Tour event will see Woods make his third appearance in the Dubai tournament.
And after failing to win in both 2001 and 2004, the 29-year-old American will be aiming to make it third time lucky over a course voted one of the world's best by Golf Digest.
"We are naturally delighted and proud that Tiger Woods has again agreed to join us for the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic," said tournament Chairman Mohammad Al Abbar.
"Having the world's greatest golfer play in your event is something many tournaments dream of so for us to be able to welcome him to the Majlis Course for the third time in six years is a boost."
Woods himself admitted he is looking forward to a return to the Arabian Gulf. "I always enjoy visiting Dubai it's an extremely hospitable place where the people and the tournament organisers treat the players so well," he said after confirming his place in the 120-man field.
"I'm sure the news that Tiger is on his way back to Dubai will be warmly welcomed by golf fans in this part of the world," said tournament Vice Chairman Mohammad Buamim.
Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, Arabian Ranches by Emaar, Nakheel, and Samsung 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; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.
Trivia about Tiger
- The nickname Tiger was given to him by his father. It's the same nickname of a South Vietnamese combat buddy, Nguyen Phong, who saved Tiger's father's life in the Vietnam War.
- Tiger Woods believes in the teachings of Buddhism.
- Tiger Woods was 11-months old when he first started swinging a sawed off golf club in his garage.
- Favourite food: McDonalds (CheeseBurgers) and Taco Bell.
- During his two years at Stanford University, Tiger Woods majored in Economics and was nicknamed "Urkel" by his college teammates.
- The head of Tiger's driver club is moving at an average speed of 122 mph at the point of impact with the ball.
- Tiger Woods underwent successful laser eye surgery in 1999. He no longer needs to wear glasses or contacts.
- Tiger Woods' mother hand made his club head cover. The words "Love from Mom", in Thai, are stitched on it.
- Tiger Woods always wears the colour red on the final day of the tournament, because his mother feels that it's a lucky and "power colour" for him.
- Tiger Woods has his own golf video game distributed by EA sports.
Gulf News
