DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tiger Woods birdied his last two holes Sunday to rally from a four-shot deficit and win the Dubai Desert Classic, starting his season with two victories that looked nothing alike.
One week after winning the Buick Invitational by eight shots, Woods had to birdie five of his last seven holes for a 7-under-par 65, then wait to see if Ernie Els could catch him.
Needing a birdie on the par-5 18th to force a playoff, Els hit his second shot into the water and made bogey.
“To go 2-for-2, it’s a pretty good start, isn’t it?” Woods said.
This is the third time he has started a season with two straight victories, and it was another sign the world’s No. 1 player could be headed for a big year. Woods now has won his past four official tournaments, and six of his past seven dating to the Bridgestone Invitational in early August.
He also won his unofficial Target World Challenge by seven shots in December.
Woods holed a 25-foot birdie putt on the last hole for a 14-under 274 and a one-shot victory over Martin Kaymer of Germany. Woods had already finished when Kaymer closed birdie-birdie-eagle for a 66.
It was a devastating blow to Els, a 38-year-old South African who has finished runner-up to Woods more times (seven) than any other player and is in the middle of his three-year plan to become No. 1 in the world.
