Dubai Desert Classic preview

A high class field including defending champion Tiger Woods and last year's runner-up Ernie Els has gathered in Dubai for the biggest event of the European Tour season so far.

ST ANDREWS, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 06: Ernie Els of South Africa waits to tee off at the 2nd Hole during the Second Round of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course on October 6, 2006 St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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TOURNAMENT: The Dubai Desert Classic

HOST COURSE: Emirates GC, Dubai

PRIZE FUND: $2,400,000

COURSE DETAILS: The spectacular 7,301-yard par-72 course has been lengthened slightly from last year?s event. The tee at the par-5 18th has been moved back making it more difficult to carry the ball all the way to the water-protected green, so a dramatic finish could be on the cards once more.

The final European Tour event of the Middle East swing has attracted the most spectacular field of the season so far, with the ?big two? ready to lock horns for the second consecutive year. Ernie Els and world number one Tiger Woods were at the centre of a hugely entertaining final round battle last year, when the latter emerged with the title after a dramatic playoff. Woods is the biggest draw but other stars such as Spanish master Sergio Garcia, ?Mr. Consistency? Henrik Stenson, last week?s winner Retief Goosen and the returning Colin Montgomerie will all be looking to gatecrash the party. Another player looking to show the world that he could be in contention for a Major title this season is Paul Casey, who won in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago.

This week?s winner will receive a whopping $400,000 for their troubles, so there should be no shortage of incentive for the players.

CONTENDERS: Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen

BETTING GUIDE: For a betting tips from our expert Paul Krishnamurty click here

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