Dubai Desert Classic set for February 2006

Sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), the multi-million dollar event will see the Tour's biggest names compete in the UAE for the 17th time over a course voted one of the world's best this year by Golf Digest. In March, the tournament was won for the third time by South Africa's world number four Ernie Els.

"Regular followers of the Dubai Desert Classic will notice that the 2006 event is a month earlier in the year than most of our previous events," said Dubai Desert Classic Vice Chairman Mohamed Buamim. "We have taken the decision to stage the event in February after consultation with the PGA European Tour and the players themselves. And after looking at the calendar options, we believe we have chosen dates that will allow us to put together one of the most competitive fields in the history of the event.

Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, Arabian Ranches by Emaar, Nakheel, and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.