By IANS
Dubai : Thomas Bjorn feels he needs to shoot one good score to regain his confidence as he prepares to compete in the forthcoming Dubai Desert Classic and the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters.
“Golf is all about numbers. Some time you play well, but that doesn’t reflect on the numbers. It has happened with me,” said Bjorn.
“I have been playing professional golf for over 12 years, but never before have I experienced such a bad season. What went wrong, I seriously don’t know. There are no perceptible flaws in my game. May be, I am not scoring good numbers,” said Bjorn, who is quite optimistic about his showing this season.
“What happened is 2007 is history. One good score, and I am back on track. I hope the early season events in the Gulf and India can herald a new beginning for me,” said Bjorn, who will join Tiger Woods and defending champion Henrik Stenson for a share in the top prize in Dubai Desert Classic, starting Jan 29.
Memories of the epic head-to-head Woods-Bjorn duel in Dubai in 2001 are still fresh in the minds of the followers of the game. Tied for the lead with Bjorn, the world No.1 found trouble off the tee of the final hole and then splashed his third shot in front of the green to take a double bogey seven. Woods’ final-hole collapse saw Bjorn win his maiden trophy in Dubai.
“We played some sensational golf during the first two days and then the fight developed into a mental game at the weekend,” said Bjorn, who rates Woods “head and shoulders above the rest.”
Bjorn will certainly be hoping for an encore, but he knows “if you have to beat Tiger you have to be at the top of your game. And then hope Tiger makes a few mistakes – generally he hardly makes any”.
At present ranked 106th in the world and a temporary resident of the city, Bjorn has left his design ‘footprints’ on the Dubai golfing landscape, having redesigned the popular Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club.
“Today, Dubai is known as one of the finest golfing destinations in the world. And the Dubai Desert Classic which every year attracts a strong field, has played a key role in putting Dubai on the map,” said Bjorn, who will also be competing in the EMAAR-MGF Indian Masters to be held at the Delhi Golf Club from Feb 5.
“India – and China – are fast emerging as golfing powers. The game of golf has expanded so much there that it won’t be a surprise if we see the next Tiger Woods emerging from there,” said Bjorn, who feels top Indian golfers like Jeev Milkha Singh and Arjun Atwal are at par with any professional in the world.