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Tiger Woods reacts on the 18th hole during the third round of Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday. Woods is one of seven players just one shot off the lead.
AP PHOTO
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Tiger Woods is bidding to end his drought in the desert.
The former world No. 1 is one shot off the lead going into Sunday’s final round of the Dubai Desert Classic, rallying from a disastrous start with an eagle and three birdies on the back nine for a par 72 in windy conditions Saturday.
“The fact I was able to battle from 4 over par and put myself with a chance going into tomorrow, I’m proud of that,” Woods said. “Hopefully, I can build on that.”
He finished the third round at 7-under 209, in a seven-way tie for fourth behind co-leaders Rory McIlroy (75), Anders Hansen (71) and Thomas Aiken (74).
Woods showed some of the resilience that recently has been lacking from his game on a dusty day in the desert during which the wind reached 28 mph.
After a double bogey at No. 9 left Woods at 4-over 39, he started his surge with an eagle on the par-5 10th and followed with a birdie on No. 11. He closed with birdies on Nos. 15 and 18 sandwiched around a bogey on 16.
Woods’ last victory came at the Australian Masters in November 2009, which was just before the Thanksgiving night car accident that derailed his run as the world’s top golfer.
He is now No. 3 in the rankings behind Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. The top-ranked Westwood was tied for 13th at 5-under, while Kaymer was eight shots off the lead after a 76.
Westwood could lose the top ranking if Kaymer wins and he finishes lower than second, and if Kaymer finishes second and Westwood is out of the top 10.
Woods is fortunate to be in contention thanks to the tough conditions taking a toll on most of the top players. McIlroy finished at 3 over and Sergio Garcia — eight shots ahead of Woods after nine holes — finished with a 75, and was among those tied with Woods.
Marino stays in lead at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — About the only thing that went right for Steve Marino was staying in the lead Saturday at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Away from the commotion of celebrities at Pebble Beach, Marino stumbled around Monterey Peninsula with everything from an eagle to consecutive bogeys. It added to a 1-over 71, giving him a one-shot lead going into the final round.
Bryce Molder, whose hopes last year at Pebble Beach came crashing down with a 9 on the 14th hole on the last day, had a 68 at Spyglass Hill. He was one shot behind, along with Jimmy Walker, who had a 63 at Monterey Peninsula.
D.A. Points, with Bill Murray as his amateur partner, had a chance to share the lead until running into bunker troubles on the 18th at Pebble Beach to make bogey. He had a 71 and was two shots behind.
Senior battles wind to take Alianz lead
BOCA RATON, Fla. — Peter Senior shot a 67 to take a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Alianz Championship on Saturday.
Senior was at 11-under 133 after a blustery day in South Florida at the Champions Tour event.
He trailed Rod Spittle for most of the day, but birdied the par-5 18th to grab the lead. Spittle bogeyed the 18th to finish with a 67 and a total of 10-under 134. Tom Lehman was tied for second after shooting a 69.
Hale Irwin (68) was tied with Russ Cochran (67) for fourth place at 8-under through two rounds.
Jay Don Blake, Friday’s leader at 8-under, dropped back to 7-under and tied in seventh place after two rounds.
Defending champion Bernhard Langer shot a 72 on Saturday and was seven strokes back.