Dubai, United Arab Emarites ? Jet lag doesn’t seem to bother Tiger Woods.

He won the Buick Invitational on Sunday in San Diego. Then he flew across 12 time zones – halfway around the world – to play at the tip of the Arabian peninsula in the Dubai Desert Classic.

No problem for golf’s most international player.

His 5-under 67 in Thursday’s first round in Dubai put him three strokes off the lead, shared by Retief Goosen, Richard Green and Jamie Donaldson.

“That’s why I work out as hard as I do,” said Woods, who was three behind with five others, including playing partner Henrik Stenson. “You get over it quicker, and the more in shape you are, the easier it is to get over jet lag.”

This is Woods’ third attempt to win at the Emirates Golf Club, a palm-lined oasis surrounded by one of the world’s fastest growing cities.

Defending champion Ernie Els was four behind after a 68.