Apparently you can't keep a tiger down, at least not on the golf course. So when Tiger Woods came roaring back to win the Chevron World Challenge on Sunday by one shot, beating the former Masters champion Zach Johnson, it book-ended a demoralising two years - and 26 events - for the world's former number one golfer.
Obviously this win was long overdue for Woods, whose personal problems off the course fuelled a spectacular fall on it. Golf lovers will hope his troubles - from revelations about extra-marital affairs to a messy breakup with his caddy - are now firmly behind him.
But this turnaround also comes at just the right time for fans of the game in the UAE. The next time Tiger steps on to a course it will be in the capital, when he tees off at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at the end of January. No doubt the great one's return to form will have golf fans scrambling to catch a glimpse of Woods as he hits the first tee box at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Tiger has already leapt from a world ranking of No 52 to a more respectable No 21. He will be hoping that 2012 will provide a fresh start and renewed momentum for what will surely be a assault on the coveted world No 1 spot, not to mention the five majors.
Don't bet against him starting the year with glory in Abu Dhabi.
