Tiger Woods maintained his stunning run of recent form by claiming a second Dubai Desert Classic title in thrilling fashion yesterday but the world number one was well aware he was on the verge of seeing his four-event winning streak come to an end.
Woods beat three-time Dubai champion Ernie Els in a play-off in 2006 to claim his first victory at the Emirates Golf Club but no extra holes were required as he registered his seventh victory in eight outings.
Having shot 31 for the back nine to set the clubhouse lead on 14 under, Els needed to birdie his final hole to force a play-off but hit his approach into the water to end his hopes. Woods, who eased to an eight-stroke victory at the Buick Invitational immediately prior to arriving in Dubai, carded a seven-under-par 65 to claim his 82nd career victory by a shot from Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer, with Els a further stroke back tied for third.
The American 13-time major winner began the day four strokes adrift of Els but after reaching the turn in one-under after two bogeys in four holes, Woods blitzed six birdies on a bogey-free back nine sparked by a crucial chip-in at the 12th.
Two further consecutive birdies followed before he reeled off back-to-back birdies to finish, including a crucial 25-foot downhill putt at the last.
“I got off to as good as start as you possibly could, I was three under through four, but dropped shots at six and nine and I went from being in the mix to being out of the mix,” said Woods, who overturned an eight-shot final round deficit to beat Els in a play-off at the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic.
“I told my caddie (Steve Williams) if we shoot 30 on the back nine maybe we will be in a play-off. I shot 31 and it happened to be good enough. I like winning by seven or eight it’s less stressful.”
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