Imperious Woods sprints two shots clear in Dubai

DUBAI (Reuters) - An imperious Tiger Woods, who won the Buick Invitational in California by eight shots on Sunday, charged into a two-stroke lead after the Dubai Desert Classic first round on Thursday.

The world number one made his intentions clear from the start when he chipped up to an inch from the cup at the 10th hole, his first, for a birdie four that paved the way for a seven-under 65 on a hot, sunny day at the Emirates Golf Club.

"I am definitely playing better than last week," Woods told reporters. "I have had two good days of practice here and started to hit the ball a lot better.

"I made a lot of putts last week. I didn't particularly drive it very well and my iron game was just alright but on those bumpy greens (at Torrey Pines) for some reason I made a bunch of putts."

Leading a chasing posse on 67 was German youngster Martin Kaymer, winner of the Abu Dhabi Championship two weeks ago, and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez who recorded a hole-in-one.

Britons Simon Dyson and Graeme McDowell, India duo Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh, Swede Pelle Edberg, Frenchman Thomas Levet, Ireland's Gary Murphy, South African Andrew McLardy and Australian Scott Hend were also five under.

The 44-year-old Jimenez used a six-iron to ace the 186-yard, par-three seventh.

The former Ryder Cup player, who also started on the 10th, was four under for his last five holes after adding to his ace with birdies at the fifth and ninth.

Three-times champion Ernie Els was in another big group on 68 along with holder Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Spain's Sergio Garcia and Britain's David Howell.

EARLY WARNING

Woods provided an ominous early warning to his rivals by racing to the turn in 34, following his excellent chip at the 10th by rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt at the 14th and birdying the par-five 18th after reaching the green in two.

The 32-year-old American made further inroads on par when he sank a 20-foot putt at the first before striking a pinpoint seven-iron to two feet at the fourth.

Woods, who won here two years ago, completed his round with two more successful birdie putts of eight feet at the seventh and eighth.

The 13-times major champion felt his first-round score could have been even better.

"I definitely missed a few (putts) today," said Woods. "I had a couple of good opportunities and just kind of ran them over the edge.

"But overall I couldn't ask for a better start. I hit the ball a lot more clean today and shaped the ball better."

Eight-times European number one Colin Montgomerie, partnering Woods and Swede Niclas Fasth, stayed in close touch with the world number one until a late collapse meant he had to settle for a 72.

Montgomerie took a six at the par-four sixth after finding an unplayable lie before chalking up his second double-bogey in four holes after hitting his ball into the water at the last.

Ryder Cup team mate Darren Clarke also slumped to an ugly nine at the 18th as he went round in 74, two over.

(Editing by Trevor Huggins)