Dubai Storm force

10:54am Saturday 2nd February 2008

WORLD number 319 Damien Mc- Grane insists he is relishing the chance to pit his wits against 13- time major winner Tiger Woods in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic as the Irishman chases a maiden European Tour title this weekend.

McGrane followed up his opening four-under-par 68 with a second- round 69 in testing conditions to earn his place in Saturday's final group alongside the world number one.

Former Dubai champion Woods, looking to claim his eighth victory in nine outings this week, looked frustrated after seeing his overnight lead halved to just one stroke after carding a one-under-par 71 in swirling conditions at the Emirates Golf Club.

Hartlepool's Graeme Storm was encouraged by his first two days, after a frustrating start to 2008.

Storm, who has missed his first two cuts of the year, carded a level par 72 on the blustery Dubai course yesterday, which gave him a solid follow up to his opening round 69.

"I had been playing poorly but the hard work I put in last weekend seems to be working," said the 29-year-old, who sits five shots adrift of Woods.

"I should have made the two cuts prior to this event but my putting let me down, there has been a major improvement here and that gives me a lot of confidence.

"Having made the cut it is all about trying to build on that now. However it goes, though, it has helped me to feel better about myself again. That should stand me in good stead for the weekend and beyond."

McGrane, 36, admits he is looking forward to his meeting with the American after playing alongside world number five Ernie Els and eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie in the past.

We all want to play better than Tiger, play alongside him and see what we should be doing because he sets the mark at the moment,'' said McGrane, who earned £312,676 on the European Tour last year to claim 73rd place on the Order of Merit.

McGrane reached the turn in one under par after converting two birdie putts from four feet, while shipping a bogey after missing the 15th green before two-putting.

The front nine started with a bogey to drop back to level par but a fortunate eagle three at the 568-yard third, which saw a 283- yard three wood drop down to four feet after hitting the pin, rallied the Irishman before he rounded off the scoring with a 20-foot birdie putt four holes later.

Woods was pleased with his modest round after an opening 65, but was seen throwing his putter across the green after a missed birdie putt at the 10th while at one-under. He was unable to increase his lead after he was forced to rally with two late birdies at 16 and 18 after shipping two bogeys in four holes in the middle of his back nine.

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