Tiger Woods made his Omega Dubai Classic debut in 2001 and now a dozen years later he’s been impressed with the growth of Dubai.
When Woods first made his way to the Emirate there was nothing like the backdrop presently dominating Dubai’s first championship golf course.
Tiger Woods very impressed with growth of Dubai since his first visit in 2001. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Today the skyline changes by the hour and leaving all those who first visited the Dubai Desert Classic in its infant stages shaking their heads in amazement.
And those include the 14-time Major winning Woods.
“It’s fantastic to see the growth from when I first started,” Woods told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the $2.5 million European Tour event which gets under way at Emirates Golf Club on Thursday.
“Talk about the 8th tee (on Majlis course). It used to be a pretty simple tee shot. You had the building that looked like it had two kind of dumplings on top, and all you had do is hit it based on wind, go at the right one or go at the left one — and now you have a huge skyline there.
“It was that and the Hard Rock Cafe, and those were the only three buildings that existed out here. Today, you see three separate skylines which is just phenomenal — and that too in such a short period of time,” said Woods, a winner of the event in 2006 and 2008.
“Basically it felt like when we first got here, we were in the infancy stages of the development of New York City, just seeing it turning from something flat to what it is now,” said Woods.
Whether it’s Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the world number one likes playing both the events. “I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve played well at both events on top of that,” he said.
About memories of Dubai that stood out for him, he said: “I made a putt on the 18th one time (in 2008). That was nice. Also, I remember, I shot three straight 64s, but only one of them was counted because one was in the pro am. That was the year (2001) when I lost to Thomas (Bjorn).”
Woods’ playing partner for the opening two rounds, Rory McIlroy also said the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is one tournament he has always liked to play.
“The Dubai Desert Classic has always been a tournament that I’ve liked to come and play,” said the two-time Major winner. “I played twice as an amateur here in ’06 and ’07, so the tournament (organizers golf in DUBAi) were very good to me giving me those invites, and it was fitting in a way that I won my first tournament here as a pro in ’09.
“Obviously whenever you come back to a place where you’ve got a win like that, you’re going to have special memories and fond memories.
“It’s great to be back, and the course is in great shape, as it always is. It’s shaping up to be a great week, 25th anniversary, getting all the past champions, bar Seve, obviously, yesterday. A good way to kick off the week, and obviously a strong field, as well.”
About the $2.5 million hole-in-one prize on the par-4, 17that the weekend, McIlroy said he will go for it. “No matter which way the wind blows, it shouldn’t be a problem to get there. There’s not many chances you have to win $2.5 million in one shot, so I will give it a go.”
Meanwhile, defending champion Stephen Gallacher is looking forward to being paired with Woods and McIlroy.
“I’m really looking forward to it – I think it’s going to be nice. It’s going to be a good time, and hopefully it brings the best out of me.”
‘golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and DUBAL as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase
