Beckham will create lots of interest in US, says Woods

DUBAI, Jan 31 (Reuters) Tiger Woods believes former England soccer captain David Beckham's move from Real Madrid to Los Angeles Galaxy will generate plenty of interest in the United States.

''No doubt about that,'' Woods told reporters on the eve of the Dubai Desert Classic. ''I think Los Angeles, we have basically lost two football teams there, the Rams and the Raiders moved out.

''Now we're looking for something else and I think with David's star power, it will bring another notch and another thing for all of us in southern California to come out and watch.'' Woods has made the long trek from his Californian birthplace to defend the Dubai title he won last year in a playoff with South African Ernie Els.

The world number one made a flying start to his season by winning the Buick Invitational in San Diego on Sunday, his ninth victory in 12 starts.

POSITIVE START ''It is always great to win early in the year,'' said Woods.

''You always want to come out and play well in the first event.

''A good positive start usually means a pretty good West Coast swing before heading into Florida and up toward Augusta (for the US Masters in April).'' Last month, the 31-year-old American announced he was building his first course, a new development in Dubai which will include a 7,700-yard, par-72 championship layout.

Woods said he always enjoyed his trips to the United Arab Emirates.

''It is great to be back,'' said Woods. ''This has always been just a fantastic event with a fantastic field.

''Again this year they have got the golf course in perfect shape. I am sure there are going to be pretty low scores out there considering how good the greens are.'' Woods first played in Dubai seven years ago. Although he said he had noticed only minor alterations to the Emirates Golf Club since then, he was struck by the new landscape on view following the building of several tall structures in the heart of the city.

''The skyline has changed quite a bit,'' he said. ''When I first played here, there were two towers where we tee off.

''It's changed a little bit since then. It looks like a New York skyline now. It's pretty impressive what they have done in such a short span of time.'' Reuters PDS GC1621