Els frittered away the chance of clinching his fourth Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday as he squandered his lead and watched Tiger Woods claim the title. The tied third finish was a let down for South African who continues to rue his poor showing on the final nine holes.

"Losing to the world No. 1 is no disgrace, but it doesn't make it better," Els said Wednesday ahead of the Indian Masters, which marks the expansion of European Tour into India.

"I had a chance. Not winning when I felt I should have won was tough to take," said Els. "But it was the first event of the year ... I can't kill myself over it."

Despite the disappointment, the 'Big Easy' felt coming close to a title in his first tournament of the year was a good sign.

"I'll have more chances like that. I've done a lot of work and feel my game will be good this year," said Els, asserting that his schedule this year was focused on the Majors.

After his maiden appearance in India, Els will take a couple of weeks off before heading to Florida and will play in America right through to the US Masters.

World No. 4 Els said he was bracing for a chaotic week in the India capital, where the Delhi Golf Club's gates have been thrown open to spectators wanting to watch the top stars in action and where golf is making a bid to capture the interest of large potential market.

"I hear they are opening up the gates, so I'm sure we will have a lot of people here," said Els, who watched big crowds turn up during the past two days during the challenger and pro-am competition.

"It was quite nice with the people out there and to see their excitement ... taking pictures and saying how glad they were to see us in the flesh," he said.

Thomas Bjorn, Darren Clarke, Nick Doherthy and David Howell and are among the European Tour stars who will try to master New Delhi's par-72 course.

Another star attraction will be Mark O'Meara.

The Asian field will be led by Thai star Chapchai Nirat, beside Indian players Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.

Launched at the initiative of the European Tour — in partnership with promoters Golf in Dubai — the US$2.5 million (A1.7 million) Indian Masters is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour, whose new season begins with this event.

This season 12 tournaments on the Asian soil will feature on the European Tour, which will return to India later this month for the US$2.5 million (A1.7 million) Johnnie Walker Classic at the DLF Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of New Delhi.