Woods lead under threat

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Woods, seeking his second Dubai title this weekend and eighth victory in nine events overall, remained at eight under par after missing a birdie putt at his opening hole. The American hit his tee shot into a fairway side bunker but recovered brilliantly and played his second shot to five feet, but was unable to extend his advantage.

In-form Dubai-based Swede Stenson, playing in the second last group, moved to within one of Woods alongside Murphy and Northern Ireland's Damien McGrane after picking up a birdie at the 458-yard par-four opening hole.

McGrane, who played his way into the final group with a second-round 69, made a solid start with a par at the opening hole after two putting from the back of the green.

Murphy picked up two shots over his opening two holes courtesy of back-to-back birdies but failed to add another at the fourth after watching a birdie putt agonisingly drift past the edge of the hole.

South African David Frost sits a further shot back alongside three-time Dubai champion and compatriot Ernie Els and world number 12 Sergio Garcia after flying out of the blocks with three straight birdies.

Els looked downbeat following his second-round 72 yesterday but he picked up two shots through five holes this morning to move within two of Woods as the world number five chased an unprecedented fourth crown this weekend.