Woods equals Nicklaus’ record at Memorial - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Woods equals Nicklaus’ record at Memorial

Reuters | By, Dublin, Ohio (usa)
Jun 05, 2012 01:21 AM IST

Tiger Woods overhauled a fading Spencer Levin and a charging Rory Sabbatini with a few moments of magic to win his 73rd PGA Tour title by two shots at the Memorial tournament on Sunday. The roar is back

Tiger Woods overhauled a fading Spencer Levin and a charging Rory Sabbatini with a few moments of magic to win his 73rd PGA Tour title by two shots at the Memorial tournament on Sunday.

HT Image
HT Image

He began the final day four strokes behind the pacesetting Levin and made a fast start before taking control with a spectacular finish that included a chip-in for birdie at the 16th that was lavishly praised by tournament host Jack Nicklaus.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Boy, I hit it good today,” Woods said after clinching his second PGA Tour victory this season in his final appearance before the June 14-17 US Open. “I hit the ball just as good as I have in years. I never really missed a shot today.”

Woods birdied four of the first seven holes and then three of the last four for a five-under-par 67 and a nine-under total of 279, drawing level with Nicklaus in second place for career victories on the U.S. circuit. Sam Snead leads the way with 82 PGA Tour wins.

“It’s been a nice run since I’ve turned pro and to do it at age 36 is not too shabby,” Woods said of matching his childhood idol Nicklaus. “I’ve been very proud of what I’ve done so far, and I feel like I’ve got a lot of good years ahead of me.” Sitting beside Woods in the media center, Nicklaus graciously said: “If he’s going to do it (win his 73rd title), which he was obviously going to, I’d like to see it happen here. That was good.”

Brief lead
Sabbatini, who briefly led by two shots on the back nine, closed with a 72 to share second place at seven under with Argentina's Andres Romero, who rolled in a 13-foot birdie putt at the last for a 67.

Journeyman Levin, seeking a maiden PGA Tour victory, clung to a three-stroke lead at the turn but limped home to a 75 and a tie for fourth at five under with fellow American Daniel Summerhays (69).

On a breezy day of sunshine, the tournament turned on the astonishing flop shot Woods produced at the par-three 16th where he holed out from a poor downhill lie in greenside rough, 50 feet from the cup.

As huge roars erupted across the course, Woods unleashed his trademark uppercut fist pump to celebrate joining Sabbatini in a tie for the lead at eight under.

Playing in the group behind, Sabbatini bogeyed the 16th, after finding a bunker off the tee, to hand Woods a one-shot lead.

Woods later commented of his miraculous shot: “It was one of the hardest ones I’ve pulled off. I was trying to get inside probably eight or 10 feet (from the cup). The lie was just a little bit marginal. For it to land as soft as it did was kind of a surprise because it was baked out and it was also downhill running away from me. It just fell in.”

Woods climbed to No. four in the latest world rankings.

Catch all the Latest IPL 2024 news and Live Cricket Score along with WPL Schedule and WPL Points Table related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On