Tiger Woods birdied the 18th hole in Florida today to defend his title at the PGA Bay Hill Invitational, snapping a winless streak dating to last September.
The reigning US and British Open and PGA Championship winner birdied thre of the last five holes to fire a final-round three-under par 69 and edge fellow American Phil Mickelson by a stroke, finishing at 15-under par 273.
Woods began the season 0-for-5 on the US PGA Tour and was winless in eight events on the circuit since claiming the Canadian Open for his ninth title of 2000. A last-hole failure cost him a title at Dubai earlier this month.
Woods claimed his 25th PGA Tour title and 17th since June of 1999. Woods also became only the second player in the 36-year history of the event to defend a title. Loren Roberts accomplished the feat in 1995.
PGA action moves to The Players Championship next week with everyone trying to hone their games before the year's first major event, the Masters, April 5-8 at Augusta, Georgia. -AFP