McIlroy and Woods in battle of the giants

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods – multi-millionaire Nike stablemates now and golf’s two biggest attractions – go head to head in Abu Dhabi tomorrow in their first competitive round of the year.

Dubbed “The Return of the Giants” in posters around the United Arab Emirates capital, the world No 1 and 2 are back to try to improve on finishing second and third last year, behind Robert Rock, the world No 117.

Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer, three times a winner of the event, will be there alongside them when they tee off at 7.40am, but even he might be forced to acknowledge he is just a member of the chorus line on this occasion.