Dubai, February 1:

Tiger Woods for once did not have things all his own way at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday but he still held on to lead at the halfway stage.

Following five carefree rounds to kick off his season, the world No 1 was made to struggle at times. At one stage it looked like his run of 20 straight sub-par rounds dating back five months was about to come on an abrupt halt, but he produced a gutsy finish to birdie two of the last three holes for a one-under 71.

That left him on eight over for the tournament, one clear of Damien McGrane who used his experience of playing in windy weather back home in Ireland to card a battling 69.

Defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden kept in touch in third place a further stroke back after coming in early in the day with a 70. Frenchman Thomas Levet pulled level with him thanks to a late 71. Seven players were a further stroke back on five-under including Spain’s Sergio Garcia.