Woods breaks title drought in style
Tiger Woods ended a frustrating victory drought of just over two years when he clinched the Chevron World Challenge by one shot on Sunday, holing a six-foot birdie putt at the last.
A stroke behind fellow American Zach Johnson overnight, Woods fired a three-under-par 69 at Sherwood Country Club to claim the 95th tournament win of his career -- but his first since the 2009 Australian Masters.
Woods, whose world ranking plummeted from number one to 52nd while he struggled for fitness and form over the last two years with his private life in tatters, came from one down with two holes to play to post a 10-under total of 278. He drained a 15-footer at the par-three 17th before coolly knocking in a six-footer on the 18th green and then celebrating with a roundhouse sweep through the air with his right arm.
"It feels great," a jubilant Woods said greenside after his spectacular birdie-birdie finish ended a run of 26 tournaments around the world without victory. Asked to describe his feelings after ending his lengthy title drought, 14-times major champion Woods replied: "It feels awesome, whatever that is."
Johnson, seeking his first victory since last year's Colonial Invitational, had to settle for second place in his effective head-to-head with Woods after closing with a 71.
Britain's Paul Casey, who opened with a 79 in Thursday's wind-buffeted opening round, signed off with a 69 to secure third place at five under.
Johnson held a one-stroke lead at the start of a glorious, sun-splashed autumn day at Sherwood and he preserved that advantage when he and Woods each birdied the par-five second.
However, Johnson then bogeyed the next two holes -- missing the green to the left off the tee at the par-three third and failing to reach the green in two at the par-four fourth -- to slip one stroke behind Woods. Johnson immediately responded with a battling birdie at the par-five fifth.
