Dubai Desert Classic:Ernie Els hasn't won a Major for more than four years and last held the tag of world number one in June 1998.

But at the age of 37, he believes he has re-energised his game and feels ready to "take on the hill" again and begin the long, arduous climb back to the summit of world golf where Tiger Woods holds sway.

Els began that journey back in December, when he took the South African Open title and with Castleknock caddie JP Fitzgerald by his side, he hopes to continue his pursuit of Woods by building on their third-place finish in their first outing together in last week's Qatar Masters.

After 15 years with Ricci Roberts on his bag, the world number four paid tribute to his new caddie's ability to keep him loose and smiling.

"JP is a different character to other caddies I've had and I've known JP for a very long time, like all the other caddies out here," Els explained. "It was last December I decided that Ricci and I take a break so I gave JP a call.

"We had a pretty good start in Qatar last week coming third and JP's all ready, so to speak, and hopefully we'll have a good year. JP also has a good sense of humour and that's something I also enjoy about him."

The bad news for Els is that Woods has no intention of going away and when asked if he had any advice for the South African in his comeback quest, Woods said ominously: "Well, keep improving, because I am going to do the same."

Els admits that he suffered from "Tigeritis" back in 2000, when he finished second to Woods an amazing seven times. Now he feels ready to become a factor again by doing his own thing rather butting heads with the game's greatest player.

"He's so far ahead of me right now but if I can achieve my goal, I feel like I can be a factor again," Els said.

"You can't try to go head-to-head against him. You've got to try and have your own little game plan and follow that.

"Hopefully this time around I can actually win some tournaments and not finish second so many times. Second is not too bad when you've got a guy like Tiger, who is is probably going to become the best ever.

"But I'd like to win more tournaments with him in the field than finishing second. I feel like I have energised myself again. I feel that I have got clear goals and I really want to move forward to that.

"I think in the late '90s I stood up pretty well. I did become world number one in 1998 and I've won majors, though not as many as him. Obviously last year I came pretty close to beating him here."

Woods made a flying start to his season by winning the Buick Invitational in San Diego on Sunday - a performance that did not escape Els's attention.

"He seemed a little off ball-striking wise, but then he found another way to win with his short game," Els said. "He could be off in certain aspects of his game but he's going to be really great in other aspects. So he's going to be a factor wherever he plays."

Indeed, Woods appears determined to continue his run of form in the Dubai Classic this week as he begins his build-up to the Masters in April. "It is always great to win early in the year. You always want to come out and play well in the first event," Woods said of his win at Torrey Pines.

"A good positive start usually means a pretty good West Coast swing before heading into Florida and up toward Augusta. This has always been just a fantastic event with a fantastic field. Again this year they have got the golf course in perfect shape. I am sure there are going to be pretty low scores out there considering how good the greens are."

The only record that interests him is Jack Nicklaus's benchmark of 18 Major titles and he reiterated his determination to continue his quest to beat that mark.

"Winning 18 is something that hopefully if you are lucky enough you can tie or even surpass over a lifetime," Woods said. "It took him (Nicklaus) a long time and I figure it is going to take a long time as well if you are lucky enough to get there."

As for thoughts of retirement if he captures 18 or 19 majors, Woods said: "It's pretty simple for me. I'll retire from this game when my best isn't good enough any more, period. I couldn't handle it if I go out there and play my best and it's not good enough any more."

Els has an impressive record in Dubai, where he has won three times, claimed two runner-up positions and never never finished worse than eighth.

Dubai Desert Classic

Venue:Emirates Golf Course

On TV:Sky Sports 1 (5.30am)

Prize money:€1.86 million

(€309,180 to the winner)

Defending champion:Tiger Woods

Did You Know?The Dubai Desert Classic was first played in 1989 and the roll of honour includes six different Major Champions. They are: Seve Ballesteros (1992), Ernie Els (1994, 2002, 2005), Fred Couples (1995), José Maria Olazábal (1998), Mark O'Meara (2004) and Tiger Woods (2006). Between them they have won 25 Major Championships.

The 2007 Dubai Desert Classic will be the 18th staging of the event. The tournament has seen 15 different winners from 10 different nations. Only Ernie Els has recorded multiple victories.

Eight former winners of the Dubai Desert Classic are in the field - Ernie Els (1994, 2002, 2005), Colin Montgomerie (1996), Richard Green (1997), David Howell (1999), Thomas Björn (2001), Robert-Jan Derksen (2003), Mark O'Meara (2004) and Tiger Woods (2006).