Tiger set for season debut in United Arab Emirates

Tiger Woods will make his 2012 season debut next week in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

It marks his first appearance in the European Tour event.

“I’m very excited to get going,” said Woods. “HSBC has been a great supporter of my foundation, and I’m looking forward to testing my game against a very strong field.”

Woods has been working hard with swing coach Sean Foley and is hoping late-year momentum generated by his victory at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., will carry over. He birdied the last two holes on Sunday to edge Zach Johnson by one stroke for his first win in more than two years.

“It’s hard to believe it was that long,” Woods said. “It was a nice way to end the season and hopefully I’ll win a few more in 2012.”

The 36-year-old Woods will make his first PGA Tour start Feb. 9-12 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on the spectacular Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. He will partner with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in the pro-am portion of the tournament.

“Tony is a great guy and a good player,” said Woods. “We played together at my AT&T National event and really enjoyed ourselves. I’m looking forward to teeing it up with him again.”