Jan. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Tiger Woods carded seven birdies and no bogeys today to take a first-round lead at the Dubai Desert Classic, where the world's top golf player is seeking to regain the title he won two years ago.

Woods began the tournament at the Emirates Golf Club with a 65 to lead by two shots from a group of 11 players that includes cigar-chomping Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and France's Thomas Levet, who keeps players entertained in the clubhouse with a repertoire of magic tricks.

``I played pretty well and hit a bunch of good shots out there, much better than last week when I just made a lot of putts,'' Woods, who started at the 10th hole, told reporters. ``I couldn't have asked for a better start.''

The Dubai Desert Classic brings to a climax the European Tour's annual three-week sojourn to the Gulf that begins with the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and continues with the Qatar Masters. From November 2009, the Tour finale will be the $10 million Dubai World Championship, designed to rival the U.S. PGA Tour's FedEx Cup and the richest tournament in golf.

In 2006, Woods beat Ernie Els in a playoff to win at Dubai for a first time in three attempts. That year he came to the Emirates straight from winning his first tournament of the year, the Buick Invitational in California. Last week he claimed the Buick for a fourth straight time and sixth overall, with an eight-stroke win.

Montgomerie Setback

The Buick romp took 13-time major championship winner Woods to 62 PGA Tour victories, a tie for fourth in the all-time list alongside Arnold Palmer. Sam Snead leads with 82 titles, followed by record 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus on 73. Woods needs three more to overhaul Ben Hogan.

Woods's playing partners today, Niclas Fasth and Colin Montgomerie, finished at level par. Montgomerie looked to be heading for a 4-under-par 68 before recording two double bogeys in his last four holes.

Woods also has business ties in the region. His development group is building a residential community in Dubai, which will include the 7,800-yard (7,132-meter), par-72 Al Ruwaya course, scheduled to open in late 2009.

Woods plans to build his own 16,500 square-foot (1,533 square meter) mansion on the estate, where the 287 homes will sell for between $12 million and $23 million.

`Catching Up'

Dubai-based defending champion Henrik Stenson, who finished runner-up at Abu Dhabi and Qatar the past two weeks, began with a par before registering four straight birdies. The world No. 13 remained at 4-under alongside 13 others including his playing partner, three-time winner Els, who had an eagle and two birdies on the back nine after reaching the turn in level par.

``I'm three shots behind the world No. 1, so I've got some catching up to do,'' fifth-ranked Els said. ``I've got to shoot low and hope he has a terrible round -- and shoots 68.''

Sergio Garcia, who's fallen to 12th in the world rankings, began today with a bogey before carding five birdies to also finish at 4-under.

``It's the beginning of the year and I'm still a bit rusty,'' the Spaniard said. ``If Tiger doesn't run away with it, I could be in with a chance come Sunday.''

World No. 22 Ian Poulter, who told this month's Golf World magazine he's the only player capable of challenging Woods's place atop the rankings, is 2-under in a tie for 42nd place.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dex McLuskey in London at dmcluskey@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 31, 2008 09:20 EST