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By Allan Kelly
Dubai - Two continents, two starts, two play-offs, two wins - Tiger Woods is already on a roll in 2006.
The world No 1's sudden death play-off triumph over great rival Ernie Els in the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday served to confirm that the American is shaping up nicely for what could be a spectacular year.
It was far from vintage Woods in the desert.
| 'I have the ability now to turn things around' |
Wayward off the tee, he had to scramble, adjust and compete and that is just what he managed to do in winning the showcase European PGA Tour event for the first time at his third attempt.
It was, he said, one of the proudest days of his career.
 
Asked if winning while not quite at his best gave him more satisfaction than winning when on top of his game, Woods said undoubtedly he chose the former.
"To be honest with you, anybody can win when they are playing well," he said.
"It's when you have an opportunity to have to fix it, which I did, turn it around and somehow end up on top.
"Very similar to how I ended up at Augusta (Masters) last year. I played 16, 17 and 18 (at Augusta) terribly and hit my two best shots in the playoff. So it's very satisfying when you can turn it around like that."
Woods only returned to competition last week when he won a three-man playoff to lift the Buick International in the United States.
But already the 30-year-old has a good handle on where his game is two years after undertaking the second major swing refurbishing of his career.
"My list of things I needed to work on is a lot shorter than it was last year at the same time," he said.
"I just felt like I didn't have this ability at this time last year to turn things around because I had so many things to try and work to where I could do that.
"But after another year of experience with it I have the ability now to turn things around because I have an understanding of ball flight and swing and the mechanics that my coach has been trying to teach me."
Dubai also highlighted another reason why Woods has such a grip on his nearest challengers - his remarkable winning record in playoffs.
His sudden death sang-froid against Els, himself a formidable playoff specialist, took his worldwide career playoff record to an incredible 12 wins against just one loss (to Billy Mayfair at the 1998 Nissan Open).
The more you play them you better you become, was Woods' own assessment of his success rate.
"I think it's just experience," he said. "I've been there enough times. I've had success in them.
"You just try to make birdies and whatever happens, happens. Trying to stay aggressive because you know it's just one shot is all you have. You try and make birdie before your opponent does."
Woods next moves back to home turf to start his buildup to the defence of his Masters title in early April.
His immediate plans are to play three tournaments in a row at Los Angeles, the WGC Matchplay at Carlsbad, California and the Doral Open in Miami. - Sapa-AFP
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