World No. 1 Tiger Woods remains confident of success this week despite a disappointing finish to the Dubai Desert Classic Former Champions Challenge’.

Woods was among 20 past Desert Classic winners celebrating the 25th anniversary of event proper commencing on Thursday.

The 14-time Major winner began well with three birdies in succession and had moved to the lead on four under par after seven holes in the $US 600,000 event.

Tiger Woods and his manager Mark Steinberg walk up the 8th hole of the Emirates course  during Dubai ‘Former Champions Challenge’. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

However the former double Dubai winner, who had posted a 79 to miss last Saturday’s third round in the defence of his Farmer’s Insurance Open title, failed to maintain the momentum and ended by putting a ball into the water at nine in taking a bogey and then also found water guarding green at 18 in a round of 71.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, winner in 2007, and Spain’s in-form Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who captured the event two years ago, shared the first prize with six under par 66s.

With no play-off in play the pair split a prize purse of $500,ooo.

Rory McIlroy shared third place with Alvaro Quiros after rounds of 68 for a prize of $50,ooo each.

Javier Ballesteros, who represented his late father, shot a two over par 74 and two shots fewer than the former European No. 1 pair of Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie.