Five reasons why Tiger Woods is unlikely to play the Dubai Desert Classic

WE should all keep things realistic and on track when it comes to Tiger Woods whereabouts. Yes, it would be great to have the 14-time Major Champion back in the UAE but we need to face facts:

WE WOULD KNOW

If he’s been signed up by ‘golf in Dubai’ to play the 2017 Dubai Desert Classic it has to be the worst best-kept secret in golf. He’s still the main draw in golf and not to utilise the announcement to maximise ticket sales and hype around the event would be madness. Especially with so many big names lined up for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

 

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 01: Tiger Woods of the USA plays his tee shot at the par 3, seventh hole during the third round of the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club on February 1, 2014 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

TIGER CLOSE TO ROLEX

Tiger remains a Rolex ambassador and they have stood by him during his rehab period, so playing in an Omega-sponsored event would not go down to well. With everyone looking forward to this year’s Rolex Series perhaps the Desert Classic is not so appropriate.

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ - AUGUST 25: Tiger Woods carefully bends down to remove his ball from the 15th hole after injuring his back during the fourth round of The Barclays held at Liberty National Golf Club on August 25, 2013 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)

INJURY PREVENTION

But before we start believing Tiger might come to town we need to remember that with a net worth of close to $700 million he’s not in this merely for the money. He’s in it to win it and prove to the world he’s still The Man. So making sure he’s fully fit and injury free will be his main priority. Flying half way round the world for one tournament doesn’t make much sense for anyone with a suspect back, let alone Tiger.

 

LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 28: Tiger Woods holds the winner's trophy after his -14 under victory during the Final Round at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on January 28, 2013 in La Jolla, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

CONFIRMED FOR THE GENESIS OPEN

Tiger has just committed to the 2017 Genesis Open on the 16th of February, obviously with an eye on the Masters Tournament at the start of April. So take a look at the tournaments he normally likes to play at the start of the season: Well, the Farmers Insurance Open starts on the 26th of January at Torrey Pines, an event he’s won seven times and a course he knows inside and out. It’s a great confidence builder and less than five hours travelling from his home in Orlando compared to 17 hours to the UAE.

 

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 29: Tiger Woods hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on January 29, 2015 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

KEEPING THINGS CLOSE TO HOME 

Then we have the week of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic that clashes with the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona, an event he’s never won. Money’s no object for Tiger but with $6.7 million in prize money on offer and just 1 hour from San Diego this may be more appealing.

 

 

DORAL, FL - MARCH 10: Developer Donald Trump (L) greets Tiger Woods after the final round of the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship as Eric Trump looks on at the Trump Doral Golf Resort & Spa on March 10, 2013 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

SO WHEN DO WE EXPECT TO MAKE A REALISTIC RETURN TO THE UAE? 

Second-guessing Tiger’s comeback dates has proved perilous over recent months and only Tiger and his manager Mark Steinberg know the answer but the US President Elect Donald Trump could have a part to play. As Tiger’s course, Oxygen at DAMAC Properties Akoya development, will have an impact on his schedule as a golf course designer. Though will he bring his clubs?

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