Tiger Woods ends 30-month title drought
Tiger Woods snapped the longest winless drought of his career with a
dominating five-shot victory over Graeme McDowell at the PGA Tour's
Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.
It marked the first PGA Tour victory for Woods in 30 months, ending a
winless spell that coincided with the personal turmoil that followed a
2009 sex scandal.
“It's not like winning a major championship or anything,” Woods said.
“But it certainly feels really good.” Woods drained a short par putt
on the par-four 18 to complete his round of two-under 70 and post a
13-under 275 total at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge course.“It was just
pure joy,” Woods said The 14-time major winner, wearing his Sunday red
and black pants, celebrated his 72nd PGA Tour victory with a fist pump
then the customary shaking of hands with runner-up McDowell, who
finished at eight-under 280. “Today was unbelievable. The conditions
were rough and those pins,” he said.
“I don't know what the average score was today, but it certainly
wasn't anywhere near par.
“It was a very tough day. It was a day of attrition. There weren't
going to be a lot of birdie opportunities out there.” England's Ian
Poulter finished in third seven shots behind Woods, while South Africa's
Ernie Els was part of a group of seven golfers who tied for fourth at
the $6 million event.
Woods had been on a win drought since revelations of his secret sex
life in November of 2009 left his reputation in tatters, put his
marriage on the path to divorce and sent sponsors fleeing.Amid the
uproar, Woods' game suffered and his struggles continued in 2011 as he
battled to cement swing changes despite injuries that limited his
playing time.
“I am thankful for a lot of people helping me out. You all know who
you are. It has been tough,” Woods said.Host and golfing icon Palmer
missed the end of his tournament after he was taken to the hospital with
a blood pressure problem.
It is the custom at this event for Palmer to greet players just off
the edge of the 18th green as they finish their rounds but he couldn't
do that Sunday. He was also supposed to be part of the trophy
presentation to Woods.
“Nobody is overly concerned about the prognosis,” said Alaistair
Johnston, vice chairman at IMG and Palmer's longtime business manager.
ORLANDO March 25, 2012 AFP |
