GOLF DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC:THREE-TIME WINNER Ernie Els is looking to continue his impressive record at the Dubai Desert Classic this week, but admits he needs to address some issues with his putting.
The South African has finished in the top three for the last seven years, including two wins since his maiden triumph in 1994.
In 11 appearances he has not finished lower than eighth and his opening-round 11-under-par 61 in 1994 remains a course record.
He missed out on a fourth win last year after being outdone by a majestic Tiger Woods over the final round but, with the world number one unable to defend his title as he continues to recover from knee surgery, Els is upbeat.
"I feel comfortable here," said Els. "I have some good lines I follow off the tees. But it is very lush, high rough this year so you've got to keep the ball a bit more in play which will mean being less aggressive off the tee.
"I'm playing okay, although I am not scoring very well. I started the year in Hawaii and played the Mercedes Championship and Sony Open and played pretty well at the first event, but on the third day I really had some putting problems and I think that put some doubt into my head and over the last couple of weeks - I haven't been really comfortable on the green.
"I am looking at a new putter this week. I have been working hard on my putting so hopefully I can get that sorted out and have a good week."
Last year the 39-year-old headed up the last hole needing a birdie to force a play-off with Woods, but to his credit took on the opportunity to claim the win outright with an eagle.
His three wood approach caught a gust of wind and a bogey six relegated him to third.
"I lost to Robert-Jan Derksen one year," Els recalled. "I remember him shooting a 65 and losing by one to him. I lost in a play-off to Tiger another year and played four rounds with Henrik Stenson one year and lost by a stroke.
"I've had a lot of success, but I've also lost several maybe by a single shot. But it's been a good tournament."
Dubai-based Henrik Stenson returns to his home course looking to build on last week's second-place finish in Qatar, where Spain's Alvaro Quiros triumphed. The 2007 champion has finished inside the top eight in the last three years and the course is one of his favourites. Stenson was also in contention 12 months ago before a final round two-over-par 74 forced him down to sixth.
World number two Sergio Garcia, Robert Karlsson and Lee Westwood are also in the field, as well as Ireland's Paul McGinley, Peter Lawrie, Gary Murphy, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Jonathon Clarke.
Twice champion Phil Mickelson will return to familiar surrounds when he makes his debut on the 2009 PGA Tour in this week's Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale. The world number four attended the nearby Arizona State University and has been a regular competitor at the event since appearing for the first time as an amateur in 1989.
"It's always good to be back in the Valley," said Mickelson, 38, during preparation for tomorrow's opening round.
"And it's really cool this year with the [ Arizona] Cardinals in the Super Bowl. We've had this kind of buzz in San Diego and what it does for the community is wonderful."
Mickelson, who will be making his 18th consecutive Phoenix Open appearance, won the tournament in 1996 and 2005 and was edged out by compatriot JB Holmes in a play-off for last year's title.
Hugely popular with the fans, the left-hander has always relished the closing stretch on Scottsdale's Stadium Course, which features the infamous par-three 16th, the noisiest hole in golf.
"The last few holes here always provide a feeling we don't get at other tour events, but it's really going to be special now with 16 essentially surrounded by seating," Mickelson said.
