Tiger Woods has confirmed he will be returning to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic next month where he will be making his eighth appearance at the tournament.
The former world No 1, who will launch his 2017 campaign at Torrey Pines to play in the US PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at the end of the month, will compete in Dubai when the longest-running European Tour event in the region gets under way at Emirates Golf Club from February 2 to 5, 2017.
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Woods, 41, will join world No 2 Rory McIlroy, reigning British Open champion Henrik Stenson and reigning US Masters winner Danny Willett among other leading players in the competition.
The American superstar, who had been sidelined by back problems for 15 months, enjoys fond memories of Dubai, having won the title there twice in 2006 and 2008. He is also 92-under par for the 28 rounds he has played at the Majlis Course since making his debut in 2001.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing in Dubai and it’s fantastic to see how the city has grown phenomenally from when I first started playing there,” said Woods, whose return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge saw him make the most birdies for the week – at 24 – in a sign that showed glimpses of his return to form.
“It was great winning in Dubai in 2006 and 2008. When you win in Dubai, you know you’ve beaten an outstanding field. The support from the fans is also just wonderful,” said Woods, who has won 14 majors and 79 PGA Tour titles.
“I still remember making that long putt on the 18th. That was nice. Also, I remember I shot three straight 64s, but only two of them were counted because one was in the pro am. That was the year [2001] when I finished runner-up to Thomas [Bjorn].”
Earlier in the day, Woods confirmed he will kickstart his 2017 campaign at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, at the January 26-29 US PGA Tour event.
Woods has won the competition at Torrey seven times – in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2013.
He won his most recent major title there in 2008 on the famed South Course, beating Rocco Mediate in an epic 19-hole play-off despite competing with knee and leg injuries.
Woods was sidelined more than a year after undergoing back surgery. His last appearance at the Farmers was in 2015, when he withdrew in the first round with back trouble.
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