Els still on course for Dubai

Ernie Els has dismissed suggestions that he could miss the Dubai World Championship because he does not like the course.

South African insists he has no plans to skip season-ending event

Ernie Els has dismissed suggestions that he could miss the Dubai World Championship because he does not like the course. The South African is currently fourth in the standings in the race to qualify for the European Tour's flagship event that marks the end of the season. However quotes attributed to the 40-year-old indicated he might not take part because he was not a fan of the course in Dubai. Els has now released a statement to clarify the matter, insisting his words had been taken out of context and that he was looking forward to going to the Emirates again in the future.

Sensationalism

"Unfortunately I was taken out of context," he said in the statement. "There are a couple of holes I don't particularly like, but to say that I don't like the entire course is just sensationalism. "As a designer myself, I don't criticise other people's work. Unfortunately my words after the final round of the Dunhill at St Andrew's were taken the wrong way. "It is just not right to say I will not be going to Dubai because of the golf course. "I have been going to the Emirates for many years and have always enjoyed my experiences and the courses there. It's a fantastic place and I look forward to going back."