DUBAI (AFP) - - Ireland's Damien McGrane was gearing up on Saturday for one of the toughest yet most intriguing challenges in world golf - going out in the final pairing of a tournament with Tiger Woods.

The 36-year-old journeyman from County Meath set up his day in the spotlight alongside the best-known sportsman in the world by carding a battling 69 in windy conditions on Friday in the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods, looking for his fifth consecutive win, came in with a 71 and at eight-under for the tournament he leads McGrane by one with defending champion Henrik Stenson and Thomas Levet of France a further stroke back.

"I think everybody here would like to play with Tiger. It's part and parcel of what we do," he said.

"We want to be out there with the best players in the world and obviously trying to achieve the highest things in the game.

"I'm sure that it's going to be very different. I haven't played with a player of his stature before.

"I suppose there's nobody bigger in the game is there?"

McGrane, whose family followed him round on Friday, said all he could do was concentrate on playing his own game while not being overawed by the play of his celebrity partner or the crowds following him.

Asked if he had previously had any contact with Woods, McGrane replied: "I think both of us had dinner in the steak house the other night. That's about it."

Woods, asked what he knew about McGrane replied: I know he's Irish that's about it."

Stenson and Levet were in the penultimate pairing with seven others ahead of then within three strokes of the lead.

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