MARK O'MEARA outscored golf sensation Tiger Woods in a birdie battle over the closing holes to win his fifth PGA Pebble Beach Pro Am title, in California, yesterday.
O'Meara birdied the 16th and 17th holes, then made par on the final hole from the greenside rough to finish with his fourth consecutive five under par 67 round.
His 278 total broke the previous record by three strokes and gave him a one stroke triumph over Woods and David Duval, who led entering the round but struggled to a final round 71.
"I feel very fortunate to come out on top," O'Meara said. "I didn't play my best but I managed to make the shots I needed coming down the stretch."
Woods, the 21 year old who won last month's season opening tournament of champions, pushed O'Meara to the brink with birdies on the final three holes to complete a final round 64.
Woods brought drama to the final moments by reaching the par five final hole in two strokes. He had a 40 foot eagle putt that would have forced a play off, but it slid two feet wide.
