Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

DOHA - Top South African golfer Ernie Els, pictured, begins his ambitious self-prescribed three-year hunt for the evergreen Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai that starts on Thursday morning.

Els came close to achieving the feat last year but at the end it was the popular Woods who walked away with the title in a sudden-death playoff in this yearly competition that is rated one of the best sporting events in the Middle East.

Also known as "The Big Easy" in global golf circles, Els is going into this star-studded tournament with high hopes after clinching third spot during the Qatar Masters here on Sunday that was won by compatriot Retief "The Goose" Goosen.

Els, the world number five, has made it known that he will be chasing world number one Woods in the next three years, though he made it clear it will not be an easy task to bring the popular American to his knees.

"You know, Tiger is Tiger. He's been the best player ever since he's come out here. But I want to get the best out of myself, basically, and that is what I'm striving for. The only way I can do that is to become number one," said Else.

l Ramatsiyi Moholoa is in Qatar as a guest of Sasol and Safa.