I'd much rather win by a distance, says Dubai winner Woods

By Tony Jimenez

DUBAI (Reuters) - Tiger Woods gave a sigh of relief after following his eight-shot triumph at last week's Buick Invitational in California with a battling one-stroke win at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

Asked by reporters which victory gave him more fun, the world number one replied: "I like seven or eight a lot more. It is a lot less stressful".

Woods, who provided a series of trademark fist-pumps and roared with delight when his 30-foot birdie putt at the 18th gave him a seven-under-par 65 and a 14-under tally of 274, said he thought he had ruined his chances earlier in the round.

The 13-times major champion started the day four shots behind overnight leader Ernie Els and had to claw his way back into contention in sunny and breezy conditions at the Emirates Golf Club.

"I birdied three of the first four holes and next thing you know I'm right in it," said Woods after clinching his second Dubai title. "Then I bogey the sixth and ninth and I have played myself right out of it.

"I had to shoot something low on the back nine to get myself back in the tournament, then all of a sudden Ernie had made a couple of mistakes.

EXTRAORDINARY WOODS