The Emirates Club, and host to next month’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, resembled a mini European Tour event as players arrived in the UAE ahead of next week’s first event on the Race to Dubai Desert Swing.

Heading those practicing at the Emirates Club was World No. 2, Lee Westwood who was working on his game under the watchful eye of long-time coach, Peter Cowan.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson practicing the Emirates Club range. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Henrik Stenson also works with Cowan and the Dubai-based Swede played nine holes on Saturday afternoon in the company of three Korean-born Emirates Club members.

The 36-year old Stenson is returning to playing golf after undergoing keyhole surgery on his left knee.

However the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic champion remains uncertain if he will compete in Abu Dhabi and will not make the decision until he speaks to his physio consulant.

Stenson is conscious of not rushing back into competition after the surgery on his knee early in December.

Also practicing at the Emirates Club were the following European  Tour players:-

The French trio of Gregory Havret, Romain Wattel and Julien Quesne, the England foursome of Chris Wood, James Morrison, Steve Webster and Ross Fisher along with Sweden’s Christian Nilsson and Joel Sjoholm.

Fisher signed with Nike in the off-season and had two of Nike’s support staff working with him on the Emirates practice putting green.

And Germany’s Martin Wiegele was getting guidance from former long-time European Tour member Anders Forsbrand.

A number of those players, including Stenson, will return to the Emirates Club on Sunday before heading south to Abu Dhabi for further preparation ahead of Thursday’s starting Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.