Thomas Bjorn will be hoping to turn back the clock when he returns to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from February 2 to 5.
The Dane was imperious when he defeated Tiger Woods for his famous victory in 2001. Much has changed since that epic “Duel of the desert”, but Bjorn’s hunger remains undiminished as he seeks more glory in an event again headlined by Woods and includes the likes of British Open winner Henrik Stenson and defending champion Danny Willett.
Bjorn, 30 at the time, played 72 holes in the company of Woods and emerged as a worthy champion with a record 22-under-par total of 266 he now shares with Stephen Gallacher (2013) and Rory McIlroy (2015).
“I always look forward to playing in Dubai,” said Ryder Cup captain Bjorn, who boasts 21 professional wins, including 15 on the European Tour.
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“It is one of my favourite tournaments and I always feel like if I am playing well, it is definitely a course on which I can score well.
“I feel at home in Dubai so, in many ways it feels like a home event for me and I am certainly looking forward to enjoying some sunshine too.
Bjorn will be joined at the Dubai Desert Classic by most of the 2016 European Ryder Cup team, including captain Darren Clarke.
“I feel very proud to have been appointed as the European Ryder Cup captain and I am relishing the task in the coming months,” Bjorn said.
“I have lived and breathed the European Tour for so long, and now will do the same with the Ryder Cup for the next two years.
“I think all of my experiences as part of the European Ryder Cup team, both as a player and as a vice captain, will be invaluable to me over the coming months.
“There is so much young talent coming through the European Tour, it’s just impossible to name every single one of the young players that I think we could possibly see qualifying for the 2018 European Ryder Cup team.
“I believe there are any number of names that we could potentially see coming through the ranks and earning their place in the 2018 team.”
For more information on the tournament and to purchase tickets, visit dubaidesertclassic.com.
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