Lowry, who won his first major on Irish soil at Royal Portrush last July, is in Dubai as he prepares for a return to action later this month.

Two days after matching his best ever European Tour round, Scotland's Stephen Gallacher amazingly went one better in Dubai today.

Shane Lowry may be relaxed about qualifying for next month’s Accenture Match-Play Championship but he doesn’t like the idea of facing good friend and world No 1 Rory McIlroy in an opening round encounter.

Tiger Woods closed with a spectacular eagle, but was still outshone by 21-year-old Rory McIlroy and out-scored by Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer in Dubai today.

Lee Westwood has joined an elite group of golfers by being awarded honorary life membership of the European Tour.