Tiger Woods will commence his new season next week moving back to World No. 2 before he even plays a shot in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Woods is currently ranked No. 3 in the world behind World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald the current No. 2 ranked best player.
However when the World Rankings are adjusted next Monday the 14-time Major winning Woods will find himself teeing up in the UAE capital as World No. 2.
The last time the world’s top two ranked golfers met was in October’s Duel at Lake Jinsha in China when the 23-year old Northern Irishman defeated Woods by a stroke in the 18-hole exhibition encounter.
Next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is being billed as the Return of the Giants with Woods looking to kick start his 18th season in the professional ranks on a winning note.
And the president of the Qatar Golf Association courted Woods to play the Jan. 24-27 Qatar Masters, but ultimately could not land the world No. 3 because his $3 million appearance fee was too expensive.
“Tiger Woods demands $3 million just for an appearance if he were to compete in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which is not worth paying for a tournament of $2.5 million prize money,” Hassan Al Nuaimi in the Doha News.
At least that rationale is sensible as last month, the resort owner at the Australian PGA curiously indicated he didn’t want Woods at his event because he is “an emotional wreck” and “not a good example for kids.”
Though he won’t be in Qatar, Woods confirmed on his website thie week and instead he is in the Middle East again for just the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said in an email Woods “was never contemplating Qatar.”
Spotted in a Dubai convenience store – Woods set to start his new season in Abu Dhabi again as World No. 2.
