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When O'Meara enchanted Dubai golf fans with his charisma and triumph over close friend Tiger Woods in the HERO Dubai Desert Classic

As the 16-time PGA Tour winner bids farewell to the game after four decades, we celebrate one of the lasting memories he has gifted us

In 2004, the golfing world was fixated on Tiger Woods, a phenomenon who had already secured his place in the sport as a living legend. At the peak of his powers, Woods was dominating every tournament he entered.

So when he came to Dubai, all eyes were on the American athlete as he strode like a colossus across the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course in a bid to win the €1.6 million HERO Dubai Desert Classic on his debut.

Woods' presence in Dubai created an electric atmosphere, and his ability to command the event with poise and precision added to the spectacle. Every shot he made showcased the power and precision that defined his greatness, leaving his fans in awe.

However, at the HERO Dubai Desert Classic, it was Mark O'Meara — a seasoned veteran and Woods' close friend — who stole the spotlight with a victory that would become one of the most memorable moments in both his career and the tournament's history.

A 16-time PGA Tour champion and a stalwart of American golf, O'Meara had been a figure of consistency for over two decades. By the time 2004 rolled around, his best years were thought to be behind him although his place in the sport's history was secured with qina in two majors, the Masters and the Open Championship.

Yet, when he teed up at the Emirates Golf Club for the Desert Classic, few expected him to challenge for the title, let alone take down a field that included the indomitable Tiger.

It was well-publicised that Woods and O'Meara shared a unique bond. They were more than just competitors - they were confidants, often seen practising together, with Tiger frequently acknowledging O'Meara’s influence on his career.

As the tournament unfolded, Woods looked primed to live up to the hype. However, O'Meara, with his classic swing and unshakeable demeanour, hung around the top of the leaderboard demonstrating that he could still compete with the new order. As the final round approached, O'Meara found himself in contention, but it was still Woods who was hogging the headlines.

Then, the unexpected happened. On the final day, O'Meara played with the precision and calmness of a seasoned champion making key birdies on the back nine.

It wasn't until the 18th hole – the Majlis Course's signature par-5 - that the big shock was delivered. O'Meara, in vintage form, hit a stunning second shot onto the green, giving himself an eagle putt that would secure an emphatic one-shot victory over his Irish playing partner Paul McGinley.

With hundreds of fans lining the course and the world watching, O'Meara calmly sank the winning putt. His celebration was restrained but full of emotion - he had defied the odds and stunned the world.

O'Meara finished with a 17-under-par total of 271, for his first victory since The Open in 1998.

World number three Ernie Els closed with a 65 to finish tied for third with Englishman David Howell, four shots behind O'Meara. Tiger Woods tied with two others at five shots back.

Reflecting on that win years later, O'Meara would describe it as one of the greatest moments of his career, not only for the victory itself but for what it represented—a triumph of resilience. He had proved that even at the age of 41 he could still perform at the highest level.

It was a powerful reminder that champions should never be counted out, and that in golf, as in life, anything is possible.

As O'Meara recently announced his retirement, memories like winning the HERO Dubai Desert Classic in 2004 cemented his legacy as one of the game's greats. The image of him holding the famed Dallah trophy, with the Dubai skyline behind him and his close friend Tiger cheering nearby, has remained one of the Classic’s most iconic moments.

In his post-event press conference, O’Meara paid tribute to Tiger, saying: “This is just a big day for me. It's a special moment for me. So I'm very thankful, I feel very privileged.

“And to have Tiger standing there on the 18th green giving me a big bear hug, it shows the kind of heart this guy has, besides the fact that he's No. 1.

“He genuinely cares about me as a friend and a person, and that meant a lot to know that he was there for me, too, when I finished up on 18th, he gave me a big bear hug,” said O’Meara.

“He was just so thrilled for me and said, "Mark, I'm so happy, I'm as happy as you are right now for you."

“He's got a big heart. Sometimes that's a side of Tiger that you don't see but it's a side of Tiger that I know,” O’Meara added. “And I tell you, that is the ultimate competitor, but he is also the ultimate champion because of the humility that he shows towards the game.”

Even to this day, Dubai holds cherished memories of a genial champion and the close bond he shared with a friend. O’Meara’s legacy in the city goes beyond victories, reflecting the enduring mark he has left on both the sport and the region.

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