Els joins field for Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Ernie Els will play at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in March, according to the tournament's Web site.

Els, the only two-time winner of the event, holds the course record at the Emirates Golf Club with a 61.

"I think everyone knows I love playing in Dubai," Els said. "The people there know how to organize and run a great tournament and the course is one of the best on the European Tour. I like the lines off the tees and the greens are quite soft, so if you get your ball up, you can shoot some good scores."

Els, who has won three majors on the PGA TOUR, played in Dubai last year despite the threat of war in nearby Iraq. He won the event in 1994 and 2002.

In December, Tiger Woods, the world's No. 1 golfer, said he planned to play in the 2004 event.

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