On his very first visit to Dubai Ernie Els won a ‘Magic Carpet’.

It was his prize when in 1993 he joined the late Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo and Japan’s Isao Aoki competing in a 9-hole exhibition match at the opening of the Dubai Creek Golf Club.

“I shot a 33 and won a magic carpet but then it wasn’t magic, as it doesn’t fly,” said Els laughing.

It was the same year Els made his debut in the Dubai Desert Classic and finishing top-10 behind fellow South African Wayne Westner.

Not quite Ernie Els but then the four-time Major winner has ridden a magic carpet throughout his career.

A ride later Els jumped aboard his ‘magic carpet’ and won the first of three Dubai Desert trophies ahead of some five months later capturing the first of four Major Championships at the 1994 US Open at Oakmont.

Els won in Dubai again in 2002, coincidentally the same year he won a first Open Championship and again in 2005, and a week after succeeding at the Qatar Masters.

However along with the Emirates Course here in Dubai Els was asked if there was any other course where he’s enjoyed a ‘magic carpet ride’.

“Wentworth (Five World Match-Play Championships), Melbourne in Australia (Three Heineken Classic crowns – 2002 to 2004),” he said.

“Actually, I’ve won four times in Australia (2003 Johnnie Walker Classic, Lake Karriyup, Perth), so along with Wentworth, here in Dubai and back home in South Africa it’s been kind of a nice ride.

“There’s a couple that I’ve left out but for the most part, I think I’ve had a good ride.”