TIGER WOODS comfortably claimed his fourth consecutive Buick Invitational title by eight shots at Torrey Pines but was still left feeling slightly disappointed by his final-round one-under-par effort of 71.
The world No.1 triumphed with a score of 19 under par to finish well ahead of second-placed Ryuji Imada – who carded a five-under-par round of 67 – and enjoy his sixth overall success in the event.
However, Woods recorded four bogeys over his fin
al 18 holes to return a score in the 70s for the first time since the Deutsche Bank Championship last September.
"Today, I wanted to go out there and shoot an under-par round and have no bogeys," Woods said. "I got half of it right."
Woods has dominated the Torrey Pines course, venue of this year's US Open, in much the same way the 32-year-old ruled Bay Hill from 2000 to 2003 and he has now won the Buick in five of the last six years. "This course has been really kind to me," he said. "Ever since junior golf all the way through my professional ranks, I've somehow really seemed to have played well here. It fits my eye. I feel very comfortable here.
"It's just one of those things where some people just have an affinity for certain golf courses," Woods added. "My buddy (Mark) O'Meara won five times up at Pebble Beach, I guess Sam (Snead) at Greensboro and (Jack) Nicklaus at Augusta. Guys that have won a number of times at certain venues, and somehow this golf course seems to have been pretty good for me."
It was also a 62nd victory for Woods, who drew level with Arnold Palmer on the PGA Tour's all-time winners list. Only Sam Snead (82), Jack Nicklaus (73) and Ben Hogan (64) now lie ahead of him. And Palmer was quick to pay tribute to Woods' achievement. "I congratulate Tiger," he said. "I'm sure that there are many, many more (wins) coming in the future. There isn't any question about that. I wish him all the luck in the world."
The full article contains 361 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
