Tiger Leads In Dubai

By Andrew Mullen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Ticker) -- Tiger Woods made a flawless start to his bid for a second Dubai Desert Classic title Thursday morning, carding a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 during his opening round. Woods' excellent round opened up an early two-stroke lead over Sweden's Pelle Edberg, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and France's Thomas Levet.

Woods showed no ill-effects of his Tuesday morning arrival in Dubai after claiming a record sixth Buick Invitational on Sunday, signing for seven birdies in a round which he admitted included just one bad shot at the 13th hole. "I played well today, I hit a bunch of good shots," Woods said. "The only bad shot I really hit today was at the par-five 13th, other than that, I really hit the ball well."

Sergio Garcia, the world No. 12, heads a large contingent containing Ireland's Damien McGrane and Benn Barham a further shot off the pace at 4-under. Woods' playing partners Colin Montgomerie and Niclas Fasth holed their birdies at the 10th after starting the back nine with six-foot birdie putts.