Golf News - Chevron World Challenge - Tiger Woods wins again
Last updated 12/12/2011 8:54:50 AM
Golf News - Chevron World Challenge - Tiger Woods wins again
Tiger Woods is back and the rest of the world can stop waiting and wondering.
The American emerged from two years of hibernation and confusion to move up to 21st in the world after recording his first win since the collapse of his marriage.
The former undisputed world number one finished with a spectacular birdie-birdie to see off his United States compatriot Zach Johnson on the 18th to win the Chevron World Challenge in California.
"It feels great," said Woods whose 10 under total secured his first title since the Australian Masters in 2009.
It wasn't the way he played but the winning which will send shivers through his rivals even though this was not the strongest field he will face by a long way.
Even his golf was not that great over the four days but what will be noted is his hunger and his killer instinct when it really mattered and fully fit and rehabilitated he will undoubtedly be a major force once again.
The killer instinct is back and a little consistency on the greens will surely see him challenging for the majors again.
England's Paul Casey, who was last in the 18-man field after a seven-over-par first round, ended third on five under.
Casey, like Woods, hit five birdies in his closing three-under-par 69 to cap a remarkable turnaround in his weekend, while Scotland's Martin Laird finished in a tie for sixth on one under after a 70.
But it was Woods's spectacular finish that captured the interest. He began the weekend ranked 52 in the world after struggling with fitness and form.
Asked to describe his feelings after ending his lengthy title drought, the 35-year-old replied: "It feels awesome, whatever that is.
"I've been in contention twice this year, which is not very often. I had the lead at the Masters on the back nine and had a chance at the Aussie Open, so that's my third time with a chance to win it. I pulled it off this time."
The 14-time major winner, who began the final round one behind overnight leader Johnson, was still one behind going down the 17th but sunk a 15-foot birdie putt to draw level.
Johnson then missed a birdie attempt on 18 before Woods nailed a six-footer to clinch his first title since November 2009 and end a run of 26 tournaments without a victory.
"It was a lot of fun coming down the stretch," he added with a rare grin these days.
"Zach put a lot of pressure on me. He turned the tide [with birdie on 16], next thing I am one down playing the last couple of holes. Then I made two good putts."
Woods's three-under-par round at Sherwood Country Club meant he secured the 95th tournament win of his career and his first in the United States since the BMW Championship in September 2009.
Johnson, seeking his first victory since last year's Colonial Invitational, was left to curse his form on the greens after closing with a 71.
World number six Steve Stricker, the highest-ranked player at the tournament, who was second alongside Woods after a three-under-par opening round, closed with a two-over 74 to finish 16th on four over.
The World Challenge event was founded by Woods and his charitable foundation in 1999 as a fundraiser and he has now won the tournament five times and lost in a play-off last year to Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.