Once more it's Woods

Tiger Woods saw off Davis Love 3 and 2 to win his 11th tournament of the year and retain the title in Hawaii yesterday.

Woods moved in front on the 524-yard second hole with an eagle, and by the turn had built a five-up advantage.

The US PGA champion completed the front nine of the 6,957 yard Poipu Bay Resort course in five-under-par 31, while Love, who made it into the event as an alternate following the death of Payne Stewart, was one over on 37.

Love birdied the 12th and 13th holes to cut his deficit to three down, but it was not enough as Woods secured the £400,000 first prize.

Woods had come to Hawaii with $7,281,626 in winnings this year. He has won 10 of his last 14 tournaments. A day earlier Woods had needed to go deep into the back nine to defeat Paul Lawrie of Scotland while Love had routed Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal 6 and 5.

The third-place match ended when British Open champion Paul Lawrie was forced to concede to Master champion Jose-Maria Olazabal after twisting his ankle.

Lawrie, who was one down at the time, was walking from the ninth green to the 10th tee when he stumbled over some rocks. He was taken to a hospital and the extent of his injury was not immediately known.

In the first round on Tuesday, love routed Olazabal 6 and 5 on the Poipu Bay Resort course. Love almost didn't join the four-player field in deference to Stewart.

As the first alternate based on his performances in this year's majors, Love initially declined to fill Stewart's slot in the tournament. But, after some soul-searching, Love relented.

"He was right here with me," Love said of Stewart. "We just can't keep him out of our heads. It was one of the reasons I decided to come. It was important for golf and for me in terms of moving on."