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**truebluefan** · 01-09-2008, 11:48 PM

Emirates G.C., Dubai United Arab Emirates

**truebluefan** · 01-09-2008, 11:49 PM

World Number One Tiger Woods has confirmed he will be returning to Dubai to compete in the Dubai Desert Classic, to be held at the Emirates Golf Club from January 29 to February 3, 2008.

The 2006 champion will be making his fifth appearance in Dubai -- a city where he and his design company are developing a 7,800-yard, par 72 course called Al Ruwaya in Dubailand, the region's largest tourism and leisure project.

Woods, who first appeared in the Dubai Desert Classic in 2001, finished tied third in the 2007 edition of The European Tour event, two shots adrift off eventual winner Dubai-based Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

"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.

“The level of competition is always extremely high; so I know I’ll have to play my best golf if I’m going to win the title again. But it’s a great venue, the course is always in immaculate condition and the weather reminds me of back home in Florida,” said Woods.

'golf in DUBAI' – the promoters and organisers of the Dubai Desert Classic – were equally delighted to welcome Woods back in Dubai. "We are naturally delighted and proud that Tiger Woods has agreed to join us for the 2008 Dubai Desert Classic,” said Mohamed Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAI.

“Having the world’s greatest golfer play in your event is something many tournament organisers dream of; so for us to be able to welcome him to the Majlis Course for the fifth time in eight years is a major boost for golf in the Middle East, especially Dubai.

“We are also looking forward to revealing other major names in the weeks ahead,” he added.

‘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.

**truebluefan** · 01-28-2008, 02:46 PM

Darren Clarke has confirmed he will join a strong field, led by world number one Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and defending champion Henrik Stenson, for the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club from January 31 to February 3.

The Ulsterman showed signs of returning to winning ways when he finished runner-up to Open Champion Padraig Harrington in the Hassan II Golf Trophy in October last year and he also notched two top five finishes in on The European Tour in South Africa either side of Christmas, firstly in the South African Airways Open and then in the Joburg Open.

"I am more at peace with myself now and I am more comfortable with myself. I just want to play some good golf," he said. "I am trying to be a lot more consistent this year and am going to continue working on all things I have been working on. My policy is to work hard and just keep it going.”

**truebluefan** · 01-30-2008, 12:13 PM

Tiger Woods isn't slowly easing into the 2008 season after taking a rare break. He's playing back-to-back tournaments - and flying halfway around the world to do it.

After a commanding win in California, Woods is feeling fresh and hoping for a fifth straight title in sunny, skyscraper-studded Dubai.

"It's one of those things where I've always played pretty well coming off breaks, and you feel fresh and my practice sessions were pretty good,'' Woods said Wednesday at palm-tree lined Emirates Golf Club, where the US$2.5 million Dubai Desert Classic gets under way Thursday.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 01-30-2008, 12:14 PM

DUBAI, January 30
MICHAEL GIBBONS: Lee, welcome. To start us off, maybe your thoughts on the week ahead, good form coming into, you must be looking forward to it.
LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, obviously I''ve been playing pretty well, and Dubai is a place I like to play in. I''ve always felt like the course suits me, and looking forward to playing this week. A great field, should be a great tournament.
MICHAEL GIBBONS: It always adds something when Tiger is here, doesn''t it.
LEE WESTWOOD: Yeah, Tiger is in; Ernie is playing and many others, so looking forward to it.

Complete interview

**truebluefan** · 01-30-2008, 12:15 PM

DUBAI, January 29
RODDY WILLIAMS: Welcome back to the Dubai Desert Classic. You''re the defending champion. Last week''s final round, despite being beaten by some pretty spectacular golf by Adam, must have given you some confidence.
HENRIK STENSON: No, I was happy with the progress really. Abu Dhabi as a nice week but it was more down to good attitude and good short game and a lot of fighting spirit that week. So I didn''t quite feel like I had that fifth gear to throw in there to challenge Martin in Abu Dhabi.

Complete interview

**truebluefan** · 01-30-2008, 12:16 PM

DUBAI - January 29
RODDY WILLIAMS: Rory, thanks for coming in and joining us here for the 2008 Dubai Desert Classic. A lot seems to have happened over the last 12 months, how do you feel coming back this time?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I mean, the last two years have been great, obviously, playing as an amateur and getting a lot of experience out here. It''s a place I love coming back to and it''s a place I enjoy. I love the golf course and yeah, I''m really looking forward to the week. The course is in great shape, so hopefully it''s going to be good.
RODDY WILLIAMS: You played well last week; how disappointing was that last round, and how pleased were you with the week?

complete interview

**truebluefan** · 02-02-2008, 08:32 PM

In the sky above the Majlis course, a banner advertising his latest business venture was dragged behind a helicopter, but Ernie Els is not one of those who come here only for commercial reasons. In yesterday’s third round of the Dubai Desert Classic, his leap to the top of a strong leaderboard demonstrated his continued appetite for a tournament he has won three times already.

Els, who opened his “desert links” in Dubai Sports City last week, is threatening to win his first event of 2008 after a 65 that took him to 11 under par, one ahead of Henrik Stenson and three ahead of Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell. Tiger Woods is a stroke further back after toiling to keep up with his Irish playing partner, Damien McGrane, never mind the rampant Els.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 02-02-2008, 08:35 PM

Tiger Woods was clearly relieved at the end of the seven-under-par 65 which left him two ahead of the field after his first round in the Dubai Desert Classic. Woods won last week's Buick Invitational by eight shots but, in his eyes, he had not played that well other than with a putter in hand. Yesterday, though, was different.

Complete article

**truebluefan** · 02-02-2008, 08:38 PM

World Number Five Ernie Els has unveiled The Els Club at Dubai Sports City, the world’s first integrated sports city.

The Els Club is the first sports facility to open in Dubai Sports City and will sit alongside other facilities including the ICC Cricket Stadium & the ICC Global Cricket Academy, The Manchester United Soccer Schools, The David Lloyd Tennis Academy & Next Generation Club & the World Hockey Academy. The Els Club is Ernie’s first step from golf into hospitality.

Els, the former Open and US Open Champion, was joined for this official opening in Dubai by England cricketer Andrew Flintoff, South Africa’s World Cup winning rugby captain John Smit, tennis legend Martina Navratilova and Manchester United goalkeeping legend, Peter Schmeichel.

The prestigious Els Club course stretches 7,538 yards from the back tees. The “desert links” layout combines a traditional classic design with truly immaculate fairways and greens. The Els Club will officially open for play in March 2008.

Ernie is looking to create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere at the Els Club with a worldclass service: “The Els Club will combine the best of all the great clubs that I have played worldwide. The golf challenge will be second to none. We’ll have great food in our restaurants….. and I particularly want the 19th to be special!”

“I am really proud of what we have achieved here. When I first saw the site, I could see the potential for a great Desert Links course and we’ve achieved just that. Whether you are an 18 handicap or a scratch golfer, it will be a great test of golf. Even if you don’t play well, we’ll make sure that you have a great time in the clubhouse!”

Mercedes-Benz
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Albertsons Boise Open
Pres'd by Kraft

Bell Micro LPGA Classic

Casa Serena Open

Challenge of Sweden

BMW Championship

Utah Championship
Presented by Zions Bank

Omega European Masters

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