DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Ernie Els is still looking for ways to push himself, and chasing Tiger Woods remains one of his main goals.
Els, speaking in Dubai on Monday after inaugurating a golf course, gets his first chance to face the top-ranked American this week at the Dubai Desert Classic.
Last year, Els said he was working toward closing the gap between himself and Woods.
"When I made that very public announcement, obviously, I was feeling very good after just winning a tournament in South Africa," Els said.
Woods started this season with an eight-shot win at the Buick Invitational on Sunday.
"I am definitely looking forward to this year," Els said. "With Tiger already winning his first event by eight shots, it should be an exciting one."
Els said he was changing his playing schedule this year in order to concentrate on the majors.
"I am now 38 years old, and I need to push myself," Els said. "I am starting the season pretty late, and after playing here in Dubai and India, I am taking a couple of weeks off, before heading off to Florida to prepare for the Masters."
Els' new course, a 7,538-yard links-style 18-hole golf course, is in Dubai Sports City, the US$3.7 billion sports and residential complex under construction in the desert.
The course cost US$18 million and took 3 1/2 years to build. It will be open to the public in March.
Other golfers, including Woods, have announced plans to open courses in the United Arab Emirates.
