After losing his European Tour playing status in heartbreaking fashion late last year Richard Green tees up at the site of his greatest triumph this week with a chance to earn his way back to the world’s second biggest circuit.

The likeable left hander is playing the Dubai Desert Classic on past champion status, the 45-year-old taking the title in 1997 in a play-off with Greg Norman and 1991 Masters winner Ian Woosnam.

Green finished the 2016 season outside the top-111 on the Race to Dubai standings but was relying on a one time only career money exemption, available to the top-40 at the end of the year, to play the 2017 season.

However, Sweden’s Alex Noren went on an end of year tear and overtook the Victorian leaving him with no international Tour to play on.

It was a devastating blow for Green but, to his credit, he fought back by heading to the Asian Tour Q-School three weeks ago and securing a card to play there by beating Todd Sinnott in a play-off.

That victory means Green can now play freely in his limited European starts and after breaking a four year cut streak at last year’s Dubai event will take some confidence into the week.

Green is one of eight Australians in the field which will also feature Tiger Woods playing his second tournament since August 2015.

Scott Hend, Nathan Holman, Andrew Dodt, Sam Brazel, Jason Scrivener, Wade Ormsby and amateur Curtis Luck will also tee up attempting to become just the second Australian to hoist the trophy.

Hend has the best record aside from Green, the big hitting Queenslander kickstarting his brilliant 2016 campaign with a top-10 here last year.

It was his best finish in five appearances and coming off his best career result at the Qatar Masters last week could well be one to watch this week.

Luck continues to impress in his appearances at professional events and posted one of the lowest round of the week a fortnight ago at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

The 21-year-old has shown a liking for the bigger events and with the world golf spotlight on Dubai this week will gain yet more invaluable experience ahead of turning Professional later this year.