McGrane weathers storm to set up Tiger showdown

"Can you erase some photos as we want to get some more pictures of your name on the leader board?"

This was the request made of Damien McGrane by his younger sister, Erin, straight after the Irishman had battled his way through a desert storm and into a head-on third round showdown with World No 1 Tiger Woods.

Dubai's ever-changing skyline was lost as strong winds whipped up sand to severely cloud the air in the UAE's largest city.

Greens staff worked hard early to spray water on the waste areas and bunkers to avoid sand blowing on the fairways whilst greens were also heavily watered.

Delighted

McGrane grabbed the clubhouse lead late in the day, albeit for some 30 minutes, in carding a 69 for a seven under par tally before Woods brilliantly chipped to just six inches at 18 for the easiest of birdies and a 71 for a one-stroke lead on eight-under par.

Graeme McDowell and Gary Murphy ensured three Irish in the top five with scores of 72 for a share of fifth place on five under par.

McGrane is enjoying the support this week in Dubai of his sisters, Roisin, 25, and Erin, 23, along with good friend Ronan O'Reilly from Kells.

His sisters rushed to take photos of McGrane's name atop of the board before following him into the Press Centre where they proudly placed themselves in the front row as McGrane spoke of his efforts.

"It was difficult out there today and I'm delighted to be up there," said McGrane.

"I played well again, and the course is difficult, so nothing comes easy out there.

"The European Tour have also done a good job in setting up the course, considering the forecast was dodgy. So I'm happy to be there.

"My eyes are quite dry now, so it certainly was a bizarre experience for me. Normally it's tears that are coming out of my eyes from the wind and the rain and frost.

"But you know, it was nearly my type of weather today, so I made the most of it."

McGrane revealed he has never met Woods although he and his sisters did share the same Dubai steak restaurant on Tuesday night as the World Number One.

But the 36-year-old former Wexford Club pro said it has never been a lifelong ambition to play in Woods's company.

"No, I wouldn't say it's my lifelong dream," said McGrane.

"We all want to play better than Tiger. Obviously that's our ambition, play alongside him, see how the game is played, see what we should be doing, because he sets the mark at the moment."

But having played in the company of the likes of triple-Majors winner Ernie Els, McGrane is confident he can handle his nerves and keep his game together.

"I hope I won't be nervous but golf is a difficult game for me and I have to make the most of what I do," said McGrane.

"I play my own game and no matter who I'm playing with, whether it's yourself or Tiger, I have to try and do the same thing, play my own game and sink a few putts and hopefully the numbers add up correctly at he end of the day.

"I'm sure playing with Tiger is going to be something very different.."

In a scenario similar to last week's Buick Invitational third round Woods admitted he knew nothing of the 319th world-ranked McGrane other than to assume his surname was Irish.

"I know he's Irish but that's about it," said Woods.

Cameras

Woods was fearful only that McGrane may suffer from the distraction of cameras with he and his opening two round partners having to back away from shots.

"I know there's a policy of no cameras but that's not really happening," said Woods.

"You could see that most of us today were backing off shots because of it but that's the way it is. People out here are going to have cameras, they are going to get you on your swing.

McDowell and Murphy were out in the morning half of the draw.

After bogeying the first, McDowell got back-to-back birdies at the second and third holes before sandwiching a 14th bogey in between 14 pars for his 72.

Paul McGinley made it through with rounds of 71 and 72 but Rory McIlroy with 77 and Darren Clarke, who got a 75 for a five over par total, both missed the cut.