Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy to compete in Abu Dhabi golf championship

Golf giants Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are set for a faceoff duel in the eighth Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2013, a news website reported Thursday.

The three-day championship is the first major event in the global golf calendar will start on January 17, the official Abu Dhabi Golf Championship news website said.

“These giants of the game will complement up-and-coming young blood with a point to prove as well as tried-and-tested professionals eyeing the Falcon Trophy as a springboard for the season ahead,” said Faisal al-Sheikh, an events manager from Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

The golf championship will also see new faces.

Four-time Major winner, reigning Open Championship holder and former world number one, Ernie Els, will make his debut at the championship. Els, who is currently ranked world number 24, joins four of the world’s top 10 at the major event, including Rory McIlroy (one), Tiger Woods (three), Justin Rose (four) and Jason Dufner (nine), Sports 360 online news reported on Thursday.