McDowell & Fisher outshine stars - Dubai Desert Classic 2007

Britain's Graeme McDowell and Ross Fisher upstaged the elite of world golf to share the lead on seven-under-par 65 after the Dubai Desert Classic first round on Thursday.

Late starters McDowell and Fisher edged ahead of three-times champion Ernie Els, who fired a 66 earlier in the day. World number one Tiger Woods launched his campaign for back-to-back Dubai titles with a 68.

Northern Irishman McDowell, back as a full-time competitor on the European Tour after playing 15 events in the United States last year, raced home in a six-under 31 with an eagle three and four birdies.

"This course seems to be a game of two nines," McDowell, 27, told reporters. "The front nine doesn't really give up a whole lot of chances.

"I knew the back nine would yield a lot of birdies. I was very happy when I got on there and birdied 10 and then got things moving with an eagle on 13."

Englishman Fisher, who has been playing golf at the Wentworth course in Surrey since the age of three, registered eight birdies and one bogey in bright sunshine and a breezy wind at the Emirates Golf Club.

Fisher has never even met Woods but would jump at the chance to play in the same group as the 12-times major champion later this week.

"It is still early days but it would be a thrill to see what he's like up close and in person," said the 26-year-old.

"Probably the closest I've got to him was at the 1998 World Match Play Championship (at Wentworth) when I used to work up there...walking past him picking up his balls on the practice range."

South African Els, champion here in 2005, 2002 and 1994, had a shaky start when he almost drove out of bounds at the long 10th (his first hole) and three-putted the short 11th.

But the world number four hit back with an eagle at the par-four 12th when his seven-iron from 167 yards rolled straight into the cup.

Course record holder Els followed up with six birdies in nine holes before three-putting again at the short fourth to finish in a tie for third place with India's Jyoti Randhawa and Jose Manuel Lara of Spain.

"I feel comfortable on this course," said Els. "I love the way they set it up and it is always in perfect shape."

After going out in level-par 35, Woods threatened a charge with birdies at the 10th and 11th.

A bogey at the 12th stopped him in his tracks before the 31-year-old American, who has won nine times in his last 12 starts, picked up more birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th.

"I just didn't putt well today," said Woods. "I couldn't strike the ball on line.

"I left a lot of opportunities out there. It was frustrating because the greens are really nice."

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, playing alongside Woods, shared sixth place on 67 with British pair Simon Dyson and Phillip Price and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.