Tiger Woods feels Luke Donald has earned the right to be called world number one as he prepares to tee it up with the Englishman at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (Donald 12/1 Tournament Outright).

The top names from the European Tour will make an appearance in the United Arab Emirates this week, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and defending champion Martin Kaymer joining Woods at the event.

Donald is among the favourites after an amazing year in 2011 which saw him post 20 top-10 finishes worldwide, en route to winning the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic and claiming top spot in the rankings.

But there have been a few discerning voices – mainly American it has to be said – who feel his lack of a major victory should somehow disqualify the 34-year-old from being allowed to be called the best player in the world.

Woods, who held top spot in the rankings for the best part of a decade, is certainly not in that particular camp, and was full of praise for Donald’s achievements last year.

“You don’t have to win a major to become the No. 1 player in the world,” he said. “You have to be consistent.

“What Luke achieved was a heck of an achievement to have to play both tours full-time and the travel that that takes, and the consistency that you must have to do that.”

Woods will get a close look at Donald on Thursday and Friday as the pair will team up with Rory McIlroy in a star-studded three-ball (Donald 2/1, Woods 7/4, McIlroy 6/4 1st-round 3-ball).