Dubai event hit by fog

Thick fog delayed the start of the Dubai Desert Classic featuring Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

Play was due to begin at 7am local time, but an hour later players and officials were still waiting for conditions to improve.

World number three Els, winner two years ago and runner-up last year, was among the scheduled early starters, but Woods, second to Thomas Bjorn on his one appearance three years ago, was not kicking off his bid for the title until the afternoon.

And because of the hold-up there had to be a doubt about whether he would complete his opening round before nightfall.

The delay stretched to two hours and the visibility was still not good enough to get the two million dollar event under way.