Ernie Els opened his bid to win a third Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, warning that it was not merely a showdown between himself and top draw Tiger Woods.
”This is definitely not an Ernie Els/Tiger Woods show,” said the big South African on the eve of the $2-million European PGA Tour event.
”This is the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and we are all going to try an play as well as we can.
”Obviously he’s number one and just off a victory so he’s feeling good about his game. But I feel good about my game too so let’s see what happens.”
The Woods win that Els was referring to came in California on Sunday, defeating Davis Love in the final of the World Matchplay Championship in California. It was the world number one’s first victory in five months although that period included a couple of winter breaks.
Woods wasted no time in jetting in to Dubai for what is only his second-ever appearance in the Middle East with reports that his appearance money is in excess of $2,5-million.
Organisers and sponsers say it is money well spent as his appearance helps nail the tournament’s growing reputation as one of the biggest on the European circuit.
Woods indulged in some spectacular promotional work in the build-up to the tournament, notably slamming a drive into the Gulf waters from the helipad of the 350m Burj Al Arab hotel.
His only other appearance in Dubai came in 2001 when he uncharacteristically cracked on the 72nd and last hole allowing Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn to record the best win of his career to date.
Woods was not due to tee off until later in the afternoon along with Paul Casey of England and Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, following a two-and-a-half hour delay to the start of the tournament due to early-morning fog.
But Els was already making his mark on the par-72 Majlis course at the Emirates Golf Club. Opening from the 10th, he birdied the 11th, 12th and 18th to move to three-under at the turn, just one back on early pace-setter and playing partner Lee Westwood.
The Englishman, back in the frame after a nightmare past few years, moved to four-under when he reached the green at the par-five 18th in two and sunk a 30-footer putt for an inspiring eagle.
In the group ahead of them, Ulsterman Darren Clarke reached the turn at one-under, while Bjorn struggled to one over. — Sapa-AFP