Tiger stalking leader Goosen

GOLF’S “Quiet Man” Retief Goosen grabbed a share of the opening day lead in the $2.4 million (€1.98) Dubai Desert Classic, but Tiger Woods, out to end his desert win drought, is handily placed after a confident start.

Goosen was returning to competition here after enjoying a six-week seasonal break back home in South Africa. But it did not take the two-time US Open winner long to find his mark as he fired a tremendous eight-under par 64 under perfect playing conditions on the Majlis Course.

That gave him a share of the first-day lead alongside Richard Green, the Australian leftie who scored the biggest win of his career here in 1997, and Welshman Jamie Donaldson.