TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tiger Ends Season On Winning Note

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: December 17, 2007

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Ten weeks later, nothing has changed with Tiger Woods and the rest of golf.

Woods won the final golf tournament of the year Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 to match the tournament record at the Target World Challenge and set a record for the largest margin of victory, by seven shots over Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Woods had not played since Sept. 30 at the Presidents Cup, but he didn't show much rust in winning his tournament for the fourth time and becoming the first player to win in consecutive years.

"Doesn't help us, does it?" Colin Montgomerie said of Woods' long break. "If he took a bloody year off, it would help. Never mind 10 weeks."

Johnson closed with a 68, but the only challenge came from Jim Furyk.

Furyk got within two shots after nine holes, but the tournament changed abruptly on the 10th. Woods holed a 12-foot birdie putt, and Furyk three-putted for bogey from 4 feet on a downhill putt.

Woods finished at 22-under 266, tying the tournament record first set by Davis Love III in 2000. He earned $1.35 million, which he will donate to his Tiger Woods Foundation. Johnson, shut out at his first Skins Game last month, earned $840,000 for second. Furyk closed with a 71 and finished third, earning $570,000.

Rory Sabbatini, who was in last place going into the final round, withdrew from the 16-man field Sunday morning. He told the PGA Tour he was pulling out for "personal reasons," but his agent later said it was due to shin splints.

The South African still received $170,000 for last place, but perhaps lost some respect along the way.

"I think I could have toughed it out one more round," Mark Calcavecchia said. "I don't think the fans missed him."

Told that Sabbatini's agent said the reason was shin splints, Fred Couples wasn't buying.

"Of course, he did," Couples said. "And Roger Clemens' agent said he didn't do steroids."

Sorenstam Ends 2-Year Victory Drought
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Annika Sorenstam won the Dubai Ladies Masters by two strokes in her first victory since she won here in 2006.

The Swede closed with 2-under 70 to finish at 10-under 278 at the season-ending tournament of the Ladies European Tour.

Overnight leader Iben Tinning of Denmark had a double bogey at the last hole and finished with a 73 to tie for second with England's Laura Davies, who shot a 72.

Six players, including halfway leader Lisa Hall, tied for fourth at 6-under 282.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Craig Parry made a 15-foot par putt on the 17th hole to shoot a 3-under 69 for a one-stroke victory.

Parry, who won his first national championship in 24 attempts, laid up on the par-5 18th rather than risk going for the green in two shots. He missed a birdie putt, but only had inches left for a tap-in to give him an 11-under total of 277 on The Australian course made soft by steady rain over much of the final day.

SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN: James Kingston shot a 1-under 71 to beat Oliver Wilson by one stroke at the South African Open.

Kingston finished the final round as darkness set in after an earlier rain delay at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates course. The South African finished at 4-under 284 overall.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT