DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tiger Woods birdied the 18th hole to keep a 1-shot lead after a windy second round of the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday.
The blustery day caused problems for Woods from the start. The world’s No. 1 golfer, who had taken a 2-shot lead with a 7-under 65 after the first round, bogeyed the first hole after driving the ball into the rough. Two more bogeys followed on the 12th and 15th.
Irishman Damien McGrane shot a 3-under 69 to pull within one shot.
Defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden shot a 2-under 70 with four birdies and was two strokes behind Woods. He was tied for third with Thomas Levet of France, who had a 71.
Woods, who won Sunday’s Buick Invitational by eight strokes, made four birdies — including two in the last three holes — for a 1-under 71 and a halfway total of 8-under 136.
Despite losing ground on the leaderboard, Woods said he was “pleased with anything in the red today.”
“It was not a pretty day out there,” he said.
Woods’ win at Torrey Pines last weekend was his fourth straight and 62nd career title, tying Arnold Palmer for fourth place on the PGA Tour list. If he triumphs in Dubai, it will be his seventh win in eight starts — and his second Dubai Desert Classic title. He won here in 2006.
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