Woods forced the extension of play with birdies on his last two holes in regulation.
The extra hole saw Els – the defending and three-time champion – hit his drive into a grove of palm trees, before sending his second shot into the water protecting the green. Meanwhile, Woods reached the back of the green in two.
Woods finished with a par and Els declined to putt out after missing his par attempt.
Tiger Woods is all smiles after winning the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
"Somehow I got lucky," Woods said. "Today it was very fortunate because I didn't really have it, but the other guys didn't run away either."
"I cannot complain," said Els, who is coming back from knee surgery last year. "After all the hassle I had with the leg to come back ... and to almost win is fine."
Woods is already 2-0 in 2006 after returning from a six-week layoff. He won the Buick Invitational in San Diego last weekend, also in a playoff.
With this victory in the United Arab Emirates, Woods has now triumphed in 10 different countries. He's also earned titles in the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Germany, Spain, Britain, Ireland, Japan and Malaysia. Plus, this was Tiger's 57th win worldwide, his 47th on the U.S. PGA Tour.
Tiger managed to tame the Emirates Golf Club course in his third try. Five years ago he led after the third round only to fall to Dane Thomas Bjorn on the 72nd hole. Two years ago he was out-matched by Mark O'Meara.
The writing may have been on the wall for Els once Woods got him in a playoff. Tiger is 13-1 in playoffs worldwide in official events, including a 4-0 overseas. His only loss came in 1998 to Billy Mayfair in the Nissan Open.
Woods picked up $400,000 US for the win. But victory or not, he was already assured a $3 million appearance fee.
Els and Woods were tied at 19-under 269 after regulation. Richard Green was second at 18 under while Miguel Angel Jimenez and Anders Hansen finished at 17-under 271. Retief Goosen was next at 16-under 272.
with files from Associated Press
