Golf
Tiger pips Ernie to title with birdie blitz
A BRILLIANT back nine from
Tiger Woods helped seal his seventh
victory in eight outings as
Ernie Els let slip a fourth Dubai
Desert Classic title.
The world number one trailed
the South African by four shots
when he bogeyed the ninth.
But a remarkable turnaround
saw Woods card six birdies coming
home, which included a crucial
25-foot putt at the last, as he
covered the back nine in just 31 to
complete a round of 65 and set
the mark at 14 under.
Els was one stroke behind but
had three holes in which to find
at least one birdie to force a playoff
but his ambition proved to be
his downfall as he dumped his approach
to the par-five 18th in the
water as he attempted to reach
the green in two.
A bogey six meant he signed
for a one-under 71, which
dropped him back into a share of
third place with compatriot
Louis Oosthuizen on 12 under.
Abu Dhabi champion from
three weeks ago Martin Kaymer
finished runner-up a shot adrift
of Woods after an impressive
final-round 66.
After winning the Buick Invitational
by eight strokes last
week, Woods collected his second
victory in Dubai and his 82nd career
triumph.
Woods topped the leaderboard
for the first two days but slipped
four shots adrift of overnight
leader Els after a frustrating
third-round 73.
He began the final day with
three birdies in his first four
holes but reached the turn just
one under for his round after bogeys
at six and nine, threeputting
the latter.
Graeme Storm ended on 291
after disappointing back to back
weekend rounds of 75.
10:23am Monday 4th February 2008
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