Tiger Roars To Life
31/03/2009 06:06
Woods completes thrilling comeback with birdie on final hole, appears ready for run at Masters
Tiger Woods came from five strokes behind to pass fellow American Sean O'Hair and win his 66th PGA Tour title in spectacular style at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday.
Playing only his third tournament since returning from reconstructive knee surgery, Woods completed a record sixth victory in fading sunlight at the Bay Hill Club by sinking a 16-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win by a shot.
The world No. 1, who had been sidelined for eight months following his previous Tour win at the U.S. Open in June, closed with a 3-under-par 67 to match his biggest final-round comeback on the circuit.
In 2000, he overturned a five-shot deficit after 54 holes to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Woods finally caught O'Hair with a 26-foot birdie putt at the par-4 15th and claimed the outright lead for the first time when his playing partner bogeyed 16 after hitting his approach into water.
Although Woods stumbled with a bogey at the par-3 17th, he calmly rolled in the 16-footer on the 18th green for a 5-under total of 275 and won $1.08 million US.
"It feels really good," the 33-year-old said in a greenside interview after celebrating his victory by backing away with a sweeping fist pump before embracing his caddie, Steve Williams.
"It feels good to be back in contention again and to feel the rush and to have to deal with everything coming down the stretch. It's been a while but it kind of felt good."
More from the Edmonton Journal.
Tiger strengthens lead atop world golf rankings.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
He’s baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!