Tiger Woods wrote the latest chapter in his colourful career with a stunning one-stroke victory in the US$2.5million Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. The world No 1, who started the day four shots behind the leader Ernie Els, took the fight to the big-hitting South African with a blistering round of 65 that saw him reclaim the top spot on the leaderboard.
And despite throwing everything he had into Sunday's game, Els, whose painful memories of losing to Woods on the first extra hole two years ago must have been playing on his mind, made a grave error that cost him the chance of gaining revenge.
Needing a birdie on the final hole to force another play-off the three-time champion put his second shot into the water as he attempted to find the green with a three-wood. After taking a drop he could only putt for a bogey-six as television cameras picked up Woods being escorted back from the clubhouse for the presentation ceremony.
Els eventually finished in joint third place with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen on 12-under while German youngster Martin Kaymer, the winner in Abu Dhabi, secured the runner-up slot with a final-round 66. Woods, who has now won seven of his last eight tournaments, including his season opener, the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in California last month, said: "Two mistakes from Els gave me a chance. – Gulf News
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