Monty to face Woods challenge

Colin Montgomerie will go head to head with Tiger Woods in the first two rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday and Friday.

Woods has flown to the Emirates direct from a stunning eight-stroke win in the Buick Invitational in California – his fourth victory in a row.

Montgomerie, runner-up to the world number one in the 2005 Open at St Andrews, was sixth in the Qatar Masters on Sunday, his best performance since winning the European Open last July.

The pair, both former winners of the Dubai title, will tee off with Swede Niclas Fasth at 8.15am local time in the opening round.

Henrik Stenson and Ernie Els, first and second last year, have been paired together, but do not tee off until 12.05pm.