Tiger Woods signs up for 2006 Desert Classic

Sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), the 17th staging of the PGA European Tour event will see Woods make his third appearance in the Dubai tournament. And after failing to win in both 2001 and 2004, the 29 year-old American will be aiming to make it third time lucky over a course voted one of the world's best by Golf Digest.

"We are naturally delighted and proud that Tiger Woods has again agreed to join us for the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic," said tournament Chairman HE Mohamed Alabbar.

"Having the world's greatest golfer play in your event is something many tournaments dream of so for us to be able to welcome him to the Majlis Course for the third time in six years is a major boost for golf in the Middle East, especially Dubai."

Woods himself admitted he is looking forward to a return to the Arabian Gulf. "I always enjoy visiting Dubai - it's an extremely hospitable place where the people and the tournament organisers treat the players so well," he said after confirming his place in the 120-man field.

"The level of competition is always extremely high so I know I'll have to play my best golf if I'm going to win. But it's a great venue, the course is always in immaculate condition and the weather reminds me of back home in Florida."

"I'm sure the news that Tiger is on his way back to Dubai will be warmly welcomed by golf fans in this part of the world," said Dubai Desert Classic Vice Chairman Mohamed Buamim.

"Tickets are available now and we fully expect his appearance will make the 2006 tournament a sell-out. We are also looking forward to revealing some of other major names in the weeks ahead."

On his Dubai Desert Classic debut in 2001, Woods lost out to Dane Thomas Bjorn on the final hole and was forced to settle for a share of second place, while three years later he claimed a share of fifth place when fellow American and close friend Mark O'Meara walked off the famous Arabic style trophy.

But perhaps the most enduring image of the world number one in Dubai came in 2004 when he was photographed hitting golf balls from the helipad of Dubai's stunning seven-star hotel the Burj Al Arab some 300 metres above the Arabian Gulf - a feat repeated 12 months later in the world of tennis by Roger Federer and Andre Agassi.

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.