DUBAI. — Tiger Woods gave another remarkable display to win
the Dubai Desert Classic title by one stroke on Sunday, his seventh victory in
eight tournament appearances.
The world No. 1 started the day four shots adrift of leader
Ernie Els but produced a trademark last-day charge as a seven-under-par 65
earned a 14-under total of 274.
Woods, who romped to an eight-shot victory in the Buick
Invitational in California last Sunday, celebrated like he had won a major
championship after rolling in a long, snaking, 30-foot putt for a birdie at the
last.
His four at the water-guarded 18th meant the 13-time major
champion finished the tournament with the best back nine of the week, a
six-under 31.
Woods reached the turn in 34 in sunny and breezy conditions
at the Emirates Golf Club. A chip-in birdie from just off the 12th green then
got his juices flowing and his haul of six birdies on the inward half set a
clubhouse target no one could match.
"I thought I had to shoot 30 on the back nine to force a
playoff," Woods said after clinching his second Dubai triumph. "I went out
there to do the best I could, shot 31 and that happened to be good enough.
"The chip-in at 12 was a lot tougher than people might
think. It was sitting down in the grass, I hit it hard and it came out as soft
as can be."
German youngster Martin Kaymer, who won the Abu Dhabi
Championship two weeks ago, was one stroke adrift in second place after a
spectacular birdie-birdie-eagle finish gave him a 66.
World No. 5 Els (71) had to settle for third on 276 along
with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen (65). In fifth place on 278 was
Briton Graeme McDowell (70).
Els, bidding for a record fourth win here, needed a birdie
at the last to force a playoff but struck his second shot into the water.
It was the second time in three years the South African had found a watery
grave at the 18th. He did the same when he lost a playoff to Woods in 2006.
