Wondrous Woods holds nerve in play-off thriller

This time there was no crushing margin; no celebratory march to victory. But Tiger Woods still succeeded in emulating the great Ben Hogan here at Valhalla yesterday, when the 82nd USPGA Championship marked his third "major" title of the year, after a thrilling duel with Bob May, culminating in a three-hole play-off.

Astonishing scenes of skill, tenacity and spectacle were witnessed by capacity galleries, as both competitors shot 270 to beat the aggregate record of 17 under-par for the championship. Ironically this was set by Steve Elkington and Colin Montgomerie in similar circumstances at Riviera in 1995.

Darren Clarke contributed to a memorable occasion by shooting a final round of 67 for a share of ninth place. It was the first top-10 finish by an Irish player in this event since David Feherty was tied seventh in 1991.

Shadows lengthened and the heat was leaving a bright Kentucky sun when a wonderful challenge by the 31-year-old May came to an end. From one stroke behind starting the round, he had battled with admirable courage to be two strokes clear after six, making a stunning contribution to an electrifying climax.

But eventually, he saw his last effort at parity slip agonisingly close to the 18th hole, leaving Woods with no more than a two-footer for his fifth major title. So, by a onestroke margin in the aggregate play-off, Woods became the first player since Denny Shute in 1937, to retain the USPGA title.

"This was one of the greatest duels I've ever had," said the champion. "I putted terrible early on but there were plenty of holes left and I knew if I could get back to level par at the turn, I would be set up for the back nine." Then, with one of those special smiles, he added: "That was when the fireworks started in earnest."

Though separated in age by seven years, the two players had known each other since they were youngsters living in southern California, when Woods was a golfing nine-year-old. So, he was familiar with the fighting qualities of his older rival.

Still, May felt the need to remark afterwards: "I think I've got a big heart and I proved to a lot of people that I can play this game. Tiger seems to run away with things so I knew it was going to be a tough day." He had come here as the 48th ranked played in the world, after sharing fifth place in the British Masters at Woburn and will be remembered in Ireland as a member of the US Walker Cup team at Portmarnock in 1991.

On his breakthrough victory in the 1997 US Masters, Woods scored a record, 18 under-par. More than three years later, his aggregate of 272 when winning the US Open by 15 strokes last June, matched the record set by Jack Nicklaus in 1980 and which was equalled by Lee Janzen in 1993. And his 19-under-par for the British Open last month, was a St Andrews record and a championship record in relation to par. Now he has all four records.

Yet, it could have been very different but for the astonishing manner in which Woods lifted his game on the homeward journey. From having played the back nine in a cumulative three under par in the first three rounds, he did it in five under when it really mattered. And May matched him stroke for stroke.

Remarkably, May was hitting his approaches closer to the flags, but Woods sank some amazing putts, notably from 15 feet at the 12th, 12 feet at the 14th and four feet at the 17th, all for birdies. Eventually, they came to the 542-yard 18th level on 17 under par.

Because of his length, Woods appeared to have a clear advantage at this 542-yard par five, but May stunned him with a second putt of 15 feet from off the back fringe for a birdie. It meant that the champion had to hole a tricky six-footer off the left lip to force a play off.

Which, of course he did, much to his own delight. Then, on the first of the playoff holes, he regained the lead for the first time since the opening hole of the final round when sinking a 20-footer for birdie. Eventually, that was all that separated two wonderful rivals, but Woods had to get up and down from the front bunker at the 18th to secure victory. Remarkable.