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Woods, Cink Reach Final

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The Associated Press

Published: February 24, 2008

MARANA, Ariz. - Tiger Woods faced another pivotal putt on the 17th hole, this one from only 12 feet, the stakes much higher Saturday than his signature 35-foot eagle putt he made three days earlier in the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Typical of his year, success was inevitable.

Woods with a putt to win is becoming like Michael Jordan taking the last shot, David Ortiz at bat in the bottom of the ninth.

"It's fun to have opportunity, whether you succeed or fail," he said. "Luckily over my career, I've succeeded more than I've failed."

Call this another success, and another trip to the finals.

Woods' birdie on the 17th carried him to a 2-up victory against defending champion Henrik Stenson, putting him in the 36-hole final match against Stewart Cink, whose flawless front nine gave him a victory over Justin Leonard, 4 and 2.

Stenson never led, but he was never far away. And when he holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th, it was all square with two holes to play.

Woods never blinked.

His 5-wood from the fairway was pulled and landed near the edge of the bunker, leaving him an uphill, sidehill lie that he was thrilled to get within 12 feet of the cup. Stenson found the rough, laid up and hit a poor wedge that took birdie out of the picture.

Woods faces Cink, a friend and a foe from college who has proven to be no pushover at Dove Mountain.

Cink has 33 sub-par holes in the 80 he has played over five rounds, and only once has he been extended to 18 holes. He was particularly brilliant against Leonard, shooting a 29 on the front nine for a 4-up lead.

Creamer Rallies Late, Wins Fields Open Title

KAPOLEI, Hawaii - Paula Creamer rallied to win the Fields Open for her fifth LPGA Tour title, birdieing four of the final five holes for a one-stroke victory over South Korea's Jeong Jang on Saturday.

Playing her trademark pink ball in the final round, the 21-year-old Creamer closed with a 6-under 66 for a 16-under 200 total.

Jang, seeking a wire-to-wire victory, closed with a 69.

Michelle Wie shot a 6-over 78 to finish 20 strokes behind Creamer. At 4-over 220, Wie tied for last among the 74 players who made the cut.

PGA TOUR: At Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Brian Gay moved into position for his first PGA Tour victory, shooting an 8-under 62 to take a five-stroke lead over Steve Marino in the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Gay birdied the last three holes and five of the final six to reach 15-under 195. Marino was 10 under after a 64. Matt Kuchar (64) and John Merrick (69) were 9 under.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: At Kaanapali, Hawaii, defending champions Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson won eight skins and a record $270,000 in alternate-shot play in the first nine holes of the Champions Skins Game.

With five skins and $180,000 at stake on the 202-yard ninth hole, Watson hit a 5-iron 15 feet above the hole and Nicklaus made the curling birdie putt.

Scores, Page 17

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