Four-time Major winner Ernie Els’ desire to succeed still burns bright as he returns to familiar territory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on January 25-28.
The South African golfing great joins fellow Major champions Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell as well European Ryder Cup legends Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood as the latest stars to commit to the longest running European Tour event in the region. They will join a stellar line-up that includes defending champion and 2017 Masters Tournament winner Sergio Garcia and four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy.
Els has fond memories of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, having lifted the trophy a record three times and he is relishing the chance to add to that haul when he returns to the Emirates Golf Club, where holds a course record 61 en route to an emphatic six-shot victory in 1994 – the first of his 28 European Tour titles.
‘My hunger for competition is as strong as ever. It’s all about fighting hard to get something going, some momentum rolling. Hopefully, good memories of the Majlis course will come in very handy,’ said The Big Easy, who is an amazing 184-under par for the 56 rounds he has played since making his debut at the event in 1993.
‘I think everyone knows I love playing in Dubai. I like the lines off the tees and the greens are quite soft so if you get your ball up, you can shoot some good scores. I always look forward to coming back and playing in this wonderful tournament.
‘Results-wise, the 2017 season may have been a bit disappointing, but the good thing is that I feel like my game has been in better shape than the scores suggested,’ said the former World Number One, who boasts 70 professional career victories which includes two wins at The Open Championship, two at the US Open, two World Golf Championships and a record seven World Match Play titles.
Els finished T31 at the BMW SA Open last week.
Credit: European Tour
