Golf: Veteran Tom Watson will make a rare appearance on the European Tour after accepting an invite to next month's €1.7million Dubai Desert Classic where Rory McIlroy is the defending champion.
Watson (60) set the place alight when he came agonisingly close to winning a sixth British Open at Turnberry in Scotland last July, only to run out of steam in the play-off and lose to fellow American Stewart Cink.
The eight-time major winner will replace Mark O’Meara at the Emirates Golf Club and is already looking forward to visiting Dubai for the first time.
“I am anxious to visit Dubai since I have heard so many good things about it,” said the Kansas native.
“Additionally, I am looking forward to playing in a city that seems to be making good progress as a golfing destination, possibly due in part to the success of the Dubai Desert Classic.
“The tournament has attracted some of the best golfers in the world and the winner’s list is quite impressive.
I would be very proud and pleased to be able to add my name to that list.
McIlroy won his first and only tour title to date at last year’s event when he denied England’s Justin Rose.
Next month’s event gets under way from February 4th-7th.