Golf: Woods three off lead in Dubai

DUBAI - World number one Tiger Woods wasted a blistering start to his opening round in the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament to finish three strokes off the pace on Thursday.

Woods, playing his second tournament of the year after winning last weekend's Buick Invitational in San Diego, compiled a birdie-eagle-birdie run from the second, including a 40-foot chip-in at the par-five third.

Woods added two birdies and a bogey on the back nine to be five-under 67 for the day, three strokes adrift of first-round leaders Jamie Donaldson of Britain, world number three Retief Goosen of South Africa and Australia's Richard Green.

"It was just the kind of start I was hoping for but I didn't really do too much after that. I made a bogey on the 10th, which was perhaps playing the easiest hole on the course today," Woods said.

"The greens are soft and in perfect condition and I am looking forward to playing early tomorrow."

Briton David Lynn was sitting alone in fourth position after a six-under 66. Five players, including Sweden's Henrik Stenson, winner of last week's Qatar Masters, are tied for fifth alongside Woods.

Making the most of the benign early morning conditions, Welshman Donaldson finished with six birdies in a row, and seven in the last eight holes, to catch up with Goosen and former champion Green, who also carded bogey-free rounds.

Goosen was in irresistible form in his first European Tour appearance since winning the South African Open in December.

"It feels nice to find the touch," Goosen said. "I didn't touch the clubs for five weeks and put them in a cupboard.

"Last week I played two rounds with some friends and I went to the driving range twice, so that was it.

"Obviously the mindset is a little bit different after shooting a 64. You just want to keep building on that, coming up with a good round tomorrow afternoon.

Defending champion Ernie Els of South Africa was in a tie for 12th after opening with a 68.

- REUTERS