TIGER WOODS WINS CHEVRON CHALLENGE, FIRST SINCE 2009
By OLIVER BROWN
With a trademark fist-pump that sent a bolt of electricity through the world of golf, Tiger Woods on Sunday night won his first event for 749 days.
After more than two years of misery and mayhem both on and off the course, the 14-time major champion prevailed in a compelling duel against Zach Johnson to seal victory by one shot at the Chevron World Challenge in Los Angeles. Picture by courtesy of AP.
Asked if the emotion was joyous, satisfying or simply relief, Woods smiled and said: "It just feels awesome whatever it is."
Those qualities patented by the Woods of old were all present and correct: the tenacity, the exuberant celebration, not to mention the extraordinary pair of birdies to finish. At last the comeback could start in earnest. His critics might carp that the Chevron is not recognised in the official money list, or that he only succeeded in beating a 17-man field, but this misses the point. In the context of Woods’ recent unravelling, his re-entry in the 'W’ column was seismic in its significance.
We have to rewind to November 2009 for Woods’ last appearance atop the podium, at the Australian Masters. Twelve days after that triumph in Melbourne, he crashed his Cadillac into a fire hydrant outside his Florida home on Thanksgiving night, and his world caved in. Shocking revelations of his adultery multiplied, and the results dried up. Until, that is, last night’s glorious resurgence in California.
When Johnson drained a birdie putt at the 16th to move one clear, it had looked as if another disappointment beckoned for Woods. But golf’s faded idol rallied superbly, with a 2 at the 17th that drew cheers across the Thousands Oaks course.
Johnson again applied pressure on the last, arrowing his approach to within 15 feet of the flag, before Woods put his own effort even closer. Concentrating fiercely, he sank from six feet and let out a roar of triumph.
And so Tiger finally looked like the player who dominated golf for so much of his career. His birdie-birdie finish gave him a three-under-par 69 for a 10-under-par 278 - one shot better than Zach Johnson who closed with a 71.
It was Woods' 83rd win worldwide.
England's Paul Casey finished what has been a disappointing season for him by filling third place on 283 with a closing round of 69.
Scotland's Martin Laird picked up the pace after starting the tournament with a 77 and closing rounds of 66 and 70 for 287 saw him earn joint sixth place - a good effort.
In his 26 official tournaments since that fateful Thanksgiving night when he wrecked his car, Woods had amassed seven top-10 finishes — including a rousing final-day surge to finish fourth at this year’s Masters — but nothing restored his confidence or pride quite as much as this crucial win.
He also picked up a cheque for the small matter of $1.2 million (£800,000), all of which he would donate to his charitable foundation, given that he hosts the Chevron for that very cause. His fifth victory in his own event also lifted him 31 places in the world rankings, from 52nd to 21st.
+This is the last year that Chevron will sponsor Tiger Woods' "own" tournament. They have backed it for four years.
ALL THE FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
Players from US unless stated
278 Tiger Woods 69 67 73 69
279 Zach Johnson 73 67 68 71
283 Paul Casey (England) 79 68 67 69
284 Hunter Mahan 72 68 73 71, Matt Kuchar 72 67 74 71
287 Jim Furyk 71 74 73 69, Martin Laird (Scotland) 77 74 66 70, Rickie Fowler 71 70 75 71, Bubba Watson 75 70 70 72
288 Bo Van Pelt 74 72 71 71, Gary Woodland 73 70 70 75
289 K J Choi (S Korea) 66 73 72 78
290 Webb Simpson 73 79 68 70, Bill Haas 78 69 69 74
291 Jason Day (Australia) 74 68 77 72
292 Steve Stricker 69 76 73 74
298 Keegan Bradley 76 75 74 73
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Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, December 04, 2011
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