DUBAI, Nov 7 - World number one Tiger Woods will return to defend his title when the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic, featuring an impressive cast, gets under way at the Emirates Golf Club from February 1 to 4.

Tickets for the European PGA Tour event, now in its 18th year, may be booked online by visiting the tournament web site - www.dubaidesertclassic.com or www.golfindubai.org - to avoid the last-minute rush.

The tickets for the challenge match and the pro-am will cost Dh75 each day while the daily ticket for the main competition (from February 1 to 4) is priced at Dh175. The six-day season ticket for the general public will cost Dh650.

Members of the UAE Golf Association (UGA) and guests of Emirates Golf Club members, as has been the tradition, will be given tickets on special rates.

The special rates for UGA members are: Dh60 each for the Challenge Match and the Pro-Am. Daily ticket: Dh140 and the season ticket Dh530 while the rates for the guests of Emirates Golf Club members are: Dh40 each for the Challenge match and the Pro-Am; daily ticket Dh90 and the season ticket Dh350.

Fans under the age of 18 will be allowed free entry to the course on every day of the tournament.

"Hardly had the excitement of the Dubai Ladies Masters died down, we started receiving a number of enquiries on a daily basis from travel agencies, tour companies and golf fans across the world.

"We will try and ensure that those who apply online get their tickets without any hitch or hindrance," said Mohamed Buamaim, vice chairman of golf in DUBAI, the promoters and organizers of the Dubai Desert Classic.

'golf in DUBAI' is backed by Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the main partner and National Bank of Dubai, Emaar, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emirates airline, Jumeirah, BMW, Gulf News and Omega as partners in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.