Gritty Woods leads by a stroke

Tiger Woods managed it all – the wind blowing, the sand swirling and the photographers clicking.

He shot a 1-under-par 71 Friday, making birdies on two of the last three holes for a one-stroke lead halfway through the Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates. Woods was at 8-under 136, and a victory will give him seven wins in eight starts. He also won in Dubai in 2006.

“It was not a pretty day out there,” he said.

Damien McGrane, who is ranked 319th and has never won as a pro, shot a 69 and was a stroke behind. He will be paired with Woods in the third round today at Emirates Golf Club.

“I know he’s Irish, but that’s about it,” Woods said.

Gusts reaching 30 mph shook the bunkers and desert terrain. Sand flew in faces and created a haze masking many of the glitzy skyscrapers usually seen towering over the course. Woods wore sunglasses but said he was still “chewing sand all day.”

Defending champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden shot a 70 and was two strokes behind Woods. He shared third with Thomas Levet of France, who had a 71.

McGrane must contend with the large crowds that follow Woods from hole to hole.

“There’s a lot of distractions here,” Woods told him. “I know there’s a policy with cameras, but that’s not really happening out here.”

PGA

J.B. Holmes shot a 6-under 65 to share the lead with Doug LaBelle II at 9-under 133 among players who finished the second round at the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz. LaBelle shot a 64. A 90-minute frost delay to start the day left 45 golfers on the course when play was halted because of darkness.

One of them, Camilo Villegas, was tied for the lead at 9 under through 12 holes.