Dubai (UAE): Rolex, a name synonymous with the world's greatest golfing occasions as well as some of the game's biggest names, will be the official timekeeper at the Dubai Desert Classic from March 3-6.

The Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)-sponsored tournament is one of a minimum of 16 PGA European Tour events where Rolex has a major presence. Rolex is also a commercial partner with all four of the Majors in men's golf - the Masters, the US Open, The Open and the US PGA Championship - as well as The Ryder Cup.

The Rolex involvement in golf started in 1967 when Arnold Palmer was presented with a gold Oyster Perpetual, which he wears to this day. The list of Rolex testimonees now also includes Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Sam Torrance, Bernhard Langer, Retief Goosen, and Phil Mickelson among many others.

"The name of Rolex is synonymous with all the great golfing occasions so we are delighted to be part of that family," said tournament Vice Chairman Mohamed Buamim.

One of the stars confirmed for the US$2.2 million event is Thailand's biggest golfing name Thongchai Jaidee. And yesterday (Sunday) the former paratrooper showed he will be a force to be reckoned with in Dubai by winning the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

By winning, Jaidee became the first wire-to-wire winner of the 2005 European Tour season and only the third player to successfully defend the Malaysian Open title since its inauguration in 1962.

Twelve months ago, Jaidee - who has won five times on the Asian Tour - claimed his breakthrough win on The European Tour International Schedule in Malaysia and earned a personal audience with Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who gave him a Diplomatic Passport to expedite his ease of movement between countries on The European Tour.

Following that win in Malaysia, Jaidee came to Dubai for the Desert Classic and performed well finishing on 12-under par for a share of fifth place. It's all a far cry from his early days when during recuperation from a football injury Jaidee and some friends sneaked onto the Army Golf Club behind his home in Lop Buri, two hours north of Bangkok, tied the discarded head of a five iron to a bamboo stick and started playing golf.

Besides Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) as the main sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic, CNN International, Arabian Ranches by Emaar, Nakheel, and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include: Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.