By Herschel V. Caldwell
Tiger Woods has served noticed that 2013 is a year to end the conversation that begins with: Is he back? Having won twice already this year and Sunday against the world’s greatest field of players, Tiger answers that questions and set himself as the odds on favorite to defend his 2012 win at Bay Hill and a victory two weeks later at the 2013 Masters.
Woods was never in danger of giving up the lead over the four days on the Blue Monster at Doral – a course where he has won many times in his career and this one marked number 76…..only six PGA wins away from Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA career wins.
Woods’ 19-under par tally was his 17th WGC title in the 14-year history of the events and that’s 40% of the all individual stroke-play WGCs.
It is Woods’ second win this year, and his fifth PGA Tour “I played well this week and thank you to Steve for the putting lesson,” said Woods.
“It was one of those weeks where I felt pretty good on how I was playing and I made some putts, and pretty much got it rolling.”
And Woods continues a remarkable record of having now won every tournament he’s contested when leading by three shots or more heading to the last round.
Woods also has now banked more than $24m from his WGC wins that would place him 28th on the all-time PGA money list in WGC wins alone.
The 37-year old Woods recorded 27 birdies over the four days including a career best of 17 over the first two rounds.
Finishing second was Woods’ good friend and President Cup/Ryder Cup partner, Steve Stricker the player Woods had singled out on the opening day as being instrumental in ‘correcting’ his putting set-up.
Stricker carded a last day 68 for a 17-under par tally to finish ahead of Phil Mickelson, Graham McDowell and Sergio Garcia.
And Stricker was the first to single out Woods for special praise.
“It’s good to see him playing well again, said Stricker
but it’s the nature of the game as everyone helps each other out here. The older players were helpful to me.”
“You’re friends out here, and even though you are competing against each other you still like to help each other out.”
It will be interesting to see the new tally of the World Golf Rankings after today win by Woods.
