The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Woods takes title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 14, 2004

Sport

Sport - Golf

Woods takes title

THOUSAND OAKS (CALIFORNIA), DEC. 13. Tiger Woods turned in his most complete round of a difficult year when he closed with a 5-under 66 for a two-shot victory over Padraig Harrington in the Target World Challenge on Sunday.

It was Woods' second straight stroke-play title after going without one on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career.

Woods won the Dunlop Phoenix on the Japanese tour last month by eight shots. The Target World Challenge is the last of the silly-season events and doesn't count as an official victory. Still, Woods beat an elite 16-man field with a game that is starting to look vaguely familiar.

"Every shot I wanted to hit, I hit," said Woods, who missed only two fairways and one green.

He finished at 16-under 268 and won $1.25 million, which he donated to his foundation.

Harrington, who held off Woods at Sherwood Country Club two years ago, got into contention with a 31 on the front nine, then kept pace until a couple of errant shots cost him on the final three holes. The Irishman took home a $750,000 cheque.

Colin Montgomerie, who had a two-shot lead and was trying to win his first stroke-play title in the United States, bogeyed the first hole and never caught up.

The Scot shot 71 and finished at 13-under 271 with Jay Haas (69). Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain had a 70 to finish another stroke behind. Woods was coming off his worst season on the PGA Tour. His only victory was the Match Play Championship in late February. — AP

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