Els And Co Tame Toothless Tiger

Feb 3 2008 By Gordon Scott In Dubai

TIGER WOODS crashed to his first over-par round for six months as Ernie Els upstaged the world No.1 to snatch the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods slipped from first to joint fifth on the leaderboard after a one-over 73 on day three.

And Els plus a clutch of Europe's big guns were quick to take advantage. The South African, a three-time Desert winner, came from four behind overnight to seize a one-stroke lead on 11 under after an eagle and five birdies in his 65.

Sweden's defending champ Henrik Stenson carded a 68 to be next best on 10 under while England's Lee Westwood (68) and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (69) are right in the mix a shot further back.

Woods was even outshone by Irish playing partner Damien McGrane who fired 72 and shares fifth spot at seven under with a host of players including the American and Sergio Garcia (70).

Ernie timed his surge to the front perfectly just as a helicopter dragging a huge banner promoting his new Els Club course in Dubai flew overhead.

The South African laughed: "I felt a little uncomfortable seeing the chopper and I thought the guy was just going to circle once but he kept going and going.

"I guess it was timely because I eagled 10 and birdied 11 as he was flying over.

"But that was a round I really needed and I told my caddy yesterday I probably had to card two 64s to have a half chance in the tournament.

"A 65 was good so I will have to score another low one tomorrow."

Woods arrived in the UAE looking for a seventh stroke-play success in eight events since clinching last August's WGC Bridgestone Invitational.

But after opening with a 65 for a two-stroke lead the 32-year-old superstar has struggled.

Woods said: "I didn't play well and didn't hit the ball close enough on the green.

"Consequently I was putting a lot so never really gave myself a look at many birdies.

"But you always want to be up there in the mix going into the back nine on Sunday so hopefully I can get in and give myself a shot at the title."

Edinburgh's Andrew Coltart is the leading Scot after birdies on three of his last six holes helped him to a 72 for a share of 23rd on four under.

Bath gate's Stephen Gallacher also finished with three birdies from six holes in a 71 to sit two under.

But Colin Montgomerie's hopes of grabbing a late invite to April's US Masters suffered a blow after the big Scot posted a 73 to languish one over.

It was Monty's first over-par score in 11 rounds of competition this year. He arrived in Dubai lying 57th in the world rankings and needs to be in the top 50 by April 1 to get to Augusta.

However, he has at least another four events to achieve that goal.

Monty said: "A 73 is not great and it was a poor outward nine to be four over.

But thankfully it was a better inward half of three under."

There was also a bizarre first for Monty when his ball hit the club twice while he played a chip shot from the rough at the eighth.

He eventually took a double bogey and said: "I've never done that before and hope I never do it again."