McGrane eager for Tiger tussle

Ireland's Damien McGrane insists he is relishing the chance to pit his wits against 13-time major winner Tiger Woods in the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic as the Irishman chases a maiden European Tour title this weekend.

McGrane followed up his opening four-under-par 68 with a second-round 69 in testing conditions to earn his place in Saturday’s final group alongside the world number one.

Former Dubai champion Woods, looking to claim his eighth victory in nine outings this week, looked visibly frustrated after seeing his overnight lead halved to just one stroke after carding a one-under-par 71 in swirling conditions at the Emirates Golf Club.

McGrane, 36, admits he is looking forward to his meeting with the American after playing alongside world number five Ernie Els and eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie in the past.

“We all want to play better than Tiger, play alongside him and see what we should be doing because he sets the mark at the moment,” said McGrane, who earned US$615,000 (€415,440) on the European Tour last year to claim 73rd place on the Order of Merit, while Woods bettered that sum by claiming second place at the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai at the end of 2006.

“I have to make the most of what I have and play my own game and sink a few putts and hope the numbers add up,” the Irishman said.

“It’s something that is going to be very different playing with someone of his stature, but he has his game and I have my game and I will be trying to do the best with what I have.

“I need to get some good finishes over the weekend. I tend to play three good rounds and then play one not so good, but if I keep knocking on the door my time has to come.”

McGrane reached the turn in one under par after converting two birdie putts from four feet, while shipping a bogey after missing the 15th green before two-putting.

The front nine started with a bogey to drop back to level par but a fortunate eagle three at the 568-yard third, which saw a 283-yard three wood drop down to four feet after hitting the pin, rallied the Irishman before he rounded off the scoring with a 20-foot birdie putt four holes later.

Woods was pleased with his modest round after an opening 65, but the American looked troubled for much of the back nine and was seen throwing his putter across the green after a missed birdie putt at the 10th while at one-under.

Woods was unable to increase his lead after he was forced to rally with two late birdies at 16 and 18 after shipping two bogeys in four holes in the middle of his back nine.

“I was pleased with anything in the red, it was not a pretty day so I am pleased,” said Woods who also admitted he found it tough to steady himself on the greens in the blustery conditions which led to several missed putts.

Kilkenny-native Gary Murphy and Graeme McDowell also stayed in touch at five-under-par while Paul McGinley posted a round of 72 to leave himself at one-under going into the weekend.

There was little joy for Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie. The trio missed the cut. McIlroy and Lawrie wrapped up at two-over-par, one shot off the two-over cut, while Clarke was further back at five-over.