Tiger roars back to top
27 March 2013 2:37 AM GMT
The wheel has turned a full circle as Tiger Woods logged his eighth win at Arnold Palmer Invitational and climbed up the ladder to be World No. one in rankings. Woods, once the most dominant golfer on the planet, came back from the abyss, a sex-scandal, drop to No. 58 in world rankings, to return to the summit that was once almost his personal property. He dropped outside top-50 as he dealt with a crisis in his personal life and injuries to his left leg.
Last week Woods announced he was dating Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn. And this week he is No. 1 in the world. Again. On Monday, defending champion Woods shot 70 in a final round that was delayed after a freak storm hit Bay Hill to finish at 13-under par, two shots clear of England’s Justin Rose. Woods was boosted by birdies at each of the par fives.
It was apt that Woods should walk off the 18th green waving his putter over his head for that was his magic wand this week at Bay Hill. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard for the eighth time to tie a PTA TOUR record that had not been touched in 48 years. ‘It’s a byproduct of hard work, patience and getting back to winning golf tournaments,’ said Woods, whose latest girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn, tweeted ‘Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!’ moments after his win.
Woods never allowed anyone to come closer than two shots in the final round. He could afford a conservative bogey on the last hole as he won over Rose. In two weeks’ time, Woods will try to end his five-year drought in the Majors at the year’s first Major at the Masters.
Rickie Fowler pulled to within two shots with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole, but after he and Woods made bogey on the 15th, Fowler went at the flag on the par-5 16th and came up a few yards short and into the water.
Fowler put another ball into the water and made triple bogey. That was the end of Fowler’s challenge. Woods also tied the PGA Tour record of eight wins in a single tournament. Sam Snead won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times from 1938 to 1965 at two golf courses.
Woods also tied his record for most wins at a single golf course, having won eight times at Torrey Pines, including a US Open.
Last week Woods announced he was dating Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn. And this week he is No. 1 in the world. Again. On Monday, defending champion Woods shot 70 in a final round that was delayed after a freak storm hit Bay Hill to finish at 13-under par, two shots clear of England’s Justin Rose. Woods was boosted by birdies at each of the par fives.
It was apt that Woods should walk off the 18th green waving his putter over his head for that was his magic wand this week at Bay Hill. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard for the eighth time to tie a PTA TOUR record that had not been touched in 48 years. ‘It’s a byproduct of hard work, patience and getting back to winning golf tournaments,’ said Woods, whose latest girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn, tweeted ‘Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!’ moments after his win.
Woods never allowed anyone to come closer than two shots in the final round. He could afford a conservative bogey on the last hole as he won over Rose. In two weeks’ time, Woods will try to end his five-year drought in the Majors at the year’s first Major at the Masters.
Rickie Fowler pulled to within two shots with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole, but after he and Woods made bogey on the 15th, Fowler went at the flag on the par-5 16th and came up a few yards short and into the water.
Fowler put another ball into the water and made triple bogey. That was the end of Fowler’s challenge. Woods also tied the PGA Tour record of eight wins in a single tournament. Sam Snead won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times from 1938 to 1965 at two golf courses.
Woods also tied his record for most wins at a single golf course, having won eight times at Torrey Pines, including a US Open.
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