Els concerned over Dubai Classic trip

Ernie Els has expressed his concern about playing in the Dubai Desert Classic next week.

Ernie Els has expressed his concern about playing in the Dubai Desert Classic next week.

After suffering a shock loss to New Zealander Phil Tataurangi in the first round of the Accenture world match play championship in California last night, Els was immediately asked about his plans.

"I would love to go - it's one of my favourite events," said the world number two, who last year won at the Emirates club for the second time.

"But my only scare is if I get there and it [war with Iraq] kicks off. How do you get out?

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"We've spoken to the people over there and they said come, but at the end of last week there was some [British] government advice about not going to Qatar. What's the big difference between Qatar and Dubai?"

Els concluded by saying that he will have more conversations and will watch the CNN television channel for any developments before making his final decision.

"It was 50-50, then I was leaning towards going. But now I'm going to speak to some people again and see what's going on," he added.

Tiger Woods is also in the field, but remains a doubtful starter as well. He says his decision will come "in the next couple of days".

At the Accenture world match play event yesterday, Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke got off to good starts.

Harrington made it through the first round after a 4&3 victory over John Cook; Clarke, winner in 2000, beat South African Tim Clark by the same margin.

PA