Woods snatches another stunning win

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Tiger Woods birdied five of his final seven holes Sunday to rally from a four-shot deficit and grab a dramatic victory at the Dubai Desert Classic for a sixth title in his last seven events.

One week after winning the Buick Invitational by eight shots, Woods fired a seven-under 65 for a 14-under total of 274 and then waited to see if Ernie Els could catch him.

Needing a birdie on the par-five 18th to force a playoff, overnight leader Els hit his tee shot into the water and made bogey.

"To go 2-for-2, it's a pretty good start, isn't it?" said Woods who won by one shot from rising star Martin Kaymer of Germany.

Woods had already finished when Kaymer, who won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship two weeks ago, closed with a birdie-birdie-eagle for a 66.

Els's 71 gave the South African a 12-under total of 276 for a share of third place with Louis Oosthuizen, who finished with a 65.

This is the third time Woods has started a season with two straight victories, and it was another sign that the world's No. 1 player could be headed for a big year.

Woods now has won his last four official tournaments -- and he also won his unofficial Target World Challenge by seven shots in December.

Defeat was a devastating blow to Els who has finished runner-up to Woods more times (seven) than any other player.

The 38-year-old is in the middle of his three-year plan to become No. 1 in the world and said recently he needed to start winning. This looked to be the perfect opportunity.

Instead, the Big Easy closed with a 71 -- the second time in three years that Els hit into the water on the 18th at Dubai and lost to Woods. In 2006, it happened during a sudden-death playoff.

"The second shot at 18, it was right where I wanted it, but I could see a gust got it in the air and it didn't have much of a chance in the end. But it was really right at it," said Els.

Woods lost momentum with bogeys on the sixth and ninth holes, but he poured it on along the back nine to capture the Dubai Desert Classic for the second time.

It was his 72nd career victory, 62 of those on the PGA Tour. E-mail to a friend