Dubai Open will be a huge test for shotmakers, says Ernie Els

Sport360 staff 11:02 07/12/2014
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  • Tough course: Ernie Els says the second shots will test the players at the course he has designed during the inaugural DUBAi Open.

    South African legend Ernie Els believes his creation, The Els Club Dubai, will be a true test for shot-makers when the Dubai Sports City-based golf course hosts its first-ever professional tournament later this month.

    The inaugural DUBAi Open, the season-ending event this year on the Asian Tour, will be played at the Els-designed course from December 18 to 21.

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    The multiple major champion, who is an Asian Tour honorary member and international ambassador, said the only course in the Middle East designed by him will offer the Asian Tour stars a challenging test, predicting that the winning score could be around the 12 to 14-under-par mark.

    “We are so excited. The guys at The Els Club, we’ve kept the course in great shape every year. They are so ready for this golf tournament,” said Els, who was recently in Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship. 

    Els, winner of four majors and three Dubai Desert Classic titles, said his design philosophy is to challenge players to shape their shots into the greens. He warned that some of the upturned-saucer greens at the Els Club, with several run-off areas, would penalise less-than-precise iron shots into the flags.

    “It’s going to be tough. I like to set up wide fairways because of the way I drive it. You’re going to feel there is plenty of room off the tees here, but the second shots will test the players,” said the man nicknamed ‘Big Easy’ due to his languid swing and easy-going personality.

    “Some of the greens, when the wind blows, it’s going to be very severe. The first green, ninth green and 10th green are going to be severe. It’s really a second-shot golf course. A lot of the guys will get it in play but you’ve got to play your second shots to the right position.

    “Shot makers will have a good time. A lot of par threes, you’ve got to draw or fade it and we’ve got a good mix of holes with various lengths. You’ve got to shape a lot of shots to score on the course. The iron play and short game will test the players. 

    The DUBAi Open is promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi.

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