Woods lands Dubai Desert Classic after thrilling play-off with Els

Both players were locked at the top of the leaderboard on 19-under par (269) after a last round that was as nerve-wracking as any in the 17-year history of the Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)-sponsored event.

It meant a sudden-death head-to-head on the signature 18th hole that saw Els' title hopes sink along with his ball after his second shot found the lake in front of the green. With Woods safely on the back of the green for two and Els failing to make par, the 30-year-old American could afford to three putt to finally get his name on the trophy at the third time of asking.

'It's a great start to the year and means a lot to me - Ernie's got three of them so it was nice of him to give me one,' smiled Woods after receiving the trophy and the $400,000 winner's cheque from His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 'That's two playoffs in a row - very stressful, but I was somehow able to come out on top, don't know how, but I was very fortunate today.'

While Woods won without even playing close to his 'A' game, Els was close to clipping the Tiger's claws despite five months away from the European Tour through injury. However, the world number five was left wanting on an 18th hole that had been good to him all week after playing a poor tee shot in the play-off.

'That (the 18th) was my favourite tee shot of the whole week - an eagle and three birdies - but there you go,' smiled the towering South African who birdied the last for a five-under-par 67. 'I can't complain. After all the hassle I had with the leg, to come back and almost win against the strongest field in the world this year is fine.'

While Els managed to pull back two shots on Woods, the 1997 Desert Classic champion Richard Green saw his chances of being involved in the playoff dashed thanks to a bogey sixth on the 18th. It was a crushing blow for the left hander who looked a likely winner with just one hole remaining.

'Unfortunately my driver cost me another win,' said Green who finished third on 270 (-18). 'It was just one of those things but it's nice to get back to the form I was in back in 2004.'

Over 47,000 people passed through the gates of the Emirates Golf Club during a tournament that featured many of the greatest names in world golf. For many of them, however, it was a case of what might have been. South Africa's world number three Retief Goosen had gone into the final round on shot behind overnight leaders Anders Hansen and Woods but failed to make an impression coming home in 71 (-1) for a total of 272 (-16) and sixth place.

Hansen, who had harboured hopes of only the second big win of his career, was forced to settle for a share of fourth place on 271 (-17) with Miguel Angel Jimenez after a closing round 71 (-1), while Jimenez shot 69 (-3).

Local hopeful Ross Bain bounced back from his disappointing third round to shoot a third sub-par round of the week. The Dubai-based Scot shot a fourth round 69 (-3) to end the tournament on 284 (-4) and a share of 47th place.

But the day was all about Tiger Woods. The world number one wrapped up his second straight tournament in a week to kick off his 2006 campaign in brilliant style.

He may have failed to hole a 100ft putt specially staged in front of the packed galleries as a fund-raiser for the newly created Sheikh Maktoum Golf Foundation but thanks to two signed golden putters that will be auctioned to raise funds for the development of Arab golfers Woods left Dubai in good shape - and vowing to return.

For HE Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of event promoters and organisers Golf in DUBAI (GiD) and Mohamed Buamim, GiD vice chairman, it was a fitting end to a tournament that again underlined its position as the biggest and best golf tournament in the Middle East.

Besides DUBAL as the main sponsor of the Desert Classic, CNN International, Dubai Waterfront by Nakheel, Emaar and Samsung as co-sponsors, other sponsors include Emirates as official airline and Hole In One Sponsor; official caterer, hotel and challenge match sponsor Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa; Official Bank National Bank of Dubai; official courtesy car BMW; and event newspaper Gulf News.