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LONDON - Europe's top golfers get the chance to try and stop Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic starting tomorrow after the PGA Tour's biggest hitters all failed in the task.
The incomparable Woods, who launched his season by romping to an eight-shot triumph at the Buick Invitational in California on Monday (NZT), makes the long trek to the Middle East aiming to capture his second Dubai title.
The world No 1 seized his 62nd PGA Tour win in California, joining Arnold Palmer in fourth place on the all-time list of victories, and his fifth appearance in eight years at the Emirates Golf Club has the cream of European golf buzzing with excitement.
"Dubai is one of the best tournaments we play," European order of merit leader Lee Westwood said.
"The tournament is fantastic, it's a great field and it's great Tiger is coming."
Westwood is performing at the top of his game, having secured his third successive top-five finish at last week's Qatar Masters and his 11th top-10 in 12 outings.
"I am playing very well, week in week out I have been in contention," the 34-year-old Briton said.
"I am delighted with the way things are going."
Westwood's Ryder Cup teammate Henrik Stenson is also in hot form as he prepares to defend his Dubai title in the third and final leg of the tour's `desert swing'.
The Dubai-based Swede followed up his tied second place in Abu Dhabi by finishing runnerup in Qatar behind Australia's Adam Scott, who produced a course record 61 in the last round.
"The putting was good again and I don't think I made a bogey at the weekend so I'm really happy with that," Stenson said.
"It is going to take some good golf to defend my title but I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Among the other contenders for the first prize of 283,000 ($547,390) are world No 5 Ernie Els and European Ryder Cup players Sergio Garcia, Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, David Howell, Niclas Fasth, Robert Karlsson and Ian Poulter.
- REUTERS
