Jimenez 'hungry' for more success

Miguel Angel Jimenez had only one thing on his mind after unleashing eight birdies to soar to the top of the Desert Classic leaderboard - and it wasn't hopes for a first success in Dubai.

"I'm hungry," laughed the easy-going Spaniard, who followed up his opening round of 67 with a magnificent 65 for a 12-under-par total of 132 to go two clear of nearest rival Ernie Els.

Playing on an empty stomach clearly helped bring the best out of Jimenez, who made a flying start with four birdies in the opening six holes after teeing off from the 10th.

The cigar-chomping Ryder Cup hero made the most of the warm and clear conditions to consolidate with a run of four straight pars before finding another white-hot burst of form with further birdies on the fifth, seventh chipping in from six metres and eighth holes.

A flawless round was in prospect before the 41-year-old miscued his drive into the long rough on the ninth and last hole where he missed a 10-foot rescue putt for par.

Even that bogey, though, did not spoil what had been a terrific day's work for Jimenez, who initially struggled to recall all his birdies.

"It's easy to forget," he smiled, almost as if a late lunch was foremost on his mind.

A quick glance at his scorecard brought back all the details, a 10-metre putt here, a four-and-a-half metre putt there … and the costly failure to hit the fairway on the ninth.

But with a two-shot cushion over Els, Jimenez much preferred to look on the bright side.

"I saw the ball very well all day … and played very well," he said, declining to focus on any one area of his game which had been particularly successful.

"There's nothing to say, that one part is better than another. It was very consistent all round."

Jimenez, of course, is a hugely experienced competitor and one well used to sitting out in front. "It feels nice," he said of his lead. "I hope I can keep my game the way it is for the rest of the weekend. It's nice to be in the lead of the tournament so early."

But does he worry about Els breathing down his neck? "You are human," he said. "You do start thinking … but you have to be positive with yourself and not let these things get to you.

"If I was a machine, these things would not happen. But you are human … and (you) try to be yourself, to stop things getting to you.

"You don't have to think about who you play with and how they are. You have to try thinking about yourself."

And with that he was off, for a well-deserved feed.