GOLF DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:NEVER MIND racing to Dubai, the world of golf would not mind fast forwarding to next month in Abu Dhabi, where the man who used to be king will come face to face with those who have prospered during his two-year decline.
Tiger Woods is back in the winner’s enclosure, fist pump and all, and do not think players such as Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood have not taken note. The Northern Irishman and the Englishman matched the American’s victory in California on Sunday with impressive victories of their own, in Hong Kong and South Africa. A successful (and lucrative) weekend for all three makes for an enticing prospect – for us, and for them.
“Usually December is the month in the golfing calendar when nothing happens so it was great to see Tiger back,” said McIlroy, who was licking his lips at the prospect of taking on his boyhood hero. “Even the way he won was very impressive, with back-to-back birdies on the last two holes.
“I think you could see by his reaction how much it meant to him. If I was to come up against Tiger on a Sunday it would be something to look forward to. Not many players of my generation have experienced it yet, and it would be great to have the opportunity to do it. It looks like next year really could be something, with lots of players playing well. I’m just happy to be involved in it.”
Also happy to be involved is Westwood, who won the Nedbank Challenge at a canter after taking a seven-shot lead into Sunday’s 18 holes courtesy of a third-round 62 – an effort he described as “about as good as I have ever played”. The Englishman is one of life’s great stoics, so to hear him deliver such a paean of self-praise suggests he is in the right frame of mind to accept a challenge, from McIlroy, Woods or anyone.
“If I can take this kind of form into next year then obviously I’m excited,” he said. “With Tiger getting back into the winner’s enclosure, that’s great for golf. I think everyone wants to see the best players in the world play well, and Tiger, who has been that kind of player, might well get back there.”
The only disappointment is that Woods, Westwood and McIlroy will have to wait until next month’s Abu Dhabi Championship to measure themselves against each other. Throw in Luke Donald, the world number one, and Martin Kaymer, world number four and twice a winner around the Abu Dhabi course, and it adds up to one of the most keenly-awaited (non-major) tournaments in recent memory.
In the meantime there is this week’s Dubai World Championship, the finale to the European Tour’s Race to Dubai – or the Order of Merit, as it is known in old money. A couple of years ago Westwood and McIlroy arrived here neck-and-neck in the season-long race, with the Englishman eventually prevailing.
McIlroy is involved again, although this time his opponent is Donald and his chances of finishing in front rank somewhere between not great and none. He needs a victory on Sunday and the Englishman needs to finish no higher than 10th.
Were his opponent anyone other than Donald McIlroy might have a decent chance, but the Englishman has become a byword for consistency, finishing outside the top 10 about as often as he throws a temper tantrum. “It’ll be tough,” McIlroy conceded. “But if it was to happen it would be a great achievement, a great way to finish my most successful year to date.”
His task has been made even tougher by a virus which saw him hooked up to a drip for three days during a holiday with his girlfriend, the world number one tennis player Caroline Wozniacki. He was back in hospital on Monday for tests.
The world number two has been on the road since the start of October, winning twice and racking up an estimated €4.7 million in prize money and appearance fees. He was not complaining about his lot in life but, looking at him, a degree in advanced medicine was not required to see he is spent. His test results will come back later in the week. Those who have purchased tickets to see him play in Thailand next week may wish to check the refund policy.
“I’m not energy-wise where I want to be, but I took a day off yesterday and took it easy. I’ll really try to conserve my energy and focus it all into the four tournament days. I’m not 100 per cent, but I’m still able to play 18 holes and try and give it my all,” he said.
With that he disappeared off to the first tee of the pro-am event. Six hours in the blazing sun, making small talk with 18-handicappers and watching them taking lumps out of fairways. Just what the doctor didn’t order.
Guardian Service
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