Woods targets Dubai

William Johnson, Chief Sports Writer

• Last Updated: August 25. 2008 10:38PM UAE / August 25. 2008 6:38PM GMT

The world's best golfer Tiger Woods, centre, was in Dubai yesterday to discuss his new golf resort with Khalid al Malik left, the CEO of Tatweer, and Abdullah al Gurg the project director. Karim Sahib / AFP

DUBAI // Tiger Woods, the world’s best golfer, made a flying visit to the UAE yesterday and did not rule out the possibility of returning in January to defend his Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods has not played since hobbling to victory in the US Open championship in June. He underwent corrective surgery on damaged left knee ligaments after beating Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole play-off at Torrey Pines and declared that he would not play again in 2008.

The four-day Desert Classic begins at Emirates Golf Club on Jan 27 and Woods wants to be there but said he was unsure whether he will be fit enough to seek his third win in the event.

“It is a frustrating time for me,” he said, after checking on the progress of a course he has helped to design in Dubai which is due to open next year. “I plan to be hitting golf balls again at the beginning of the year,” he added.

Woods was in the region to unveil what was described as a “masterplan” for the par 72 championship course which stretches to a demanding 7,800 yards.

Woods said: “I am proud with my partnership with Tatweer [the Dubai development company]. The design of the course will reflect what I truly love about golf and I hope, will prove to be a challenging and strategic course for players of all levels.

“The master plan reflects the phenomenal dimension this project has taken since it was first conceived, and will serve to enhance its overall stature as one of the world’s most ambitious developments.

Abdulla al Gurg, the project director of the new development, said: “Tiger Woods’s name brings enormous value to the project and we are proud to share with him some of the key developments that have taken place since he reviewed the project during his last visit.”

wjohnson@thenational.ae