Tiger Woods finally breaks his winless taboo with The Chevron World Challenge title
Tiger Woods finally came out of the shadows to post his long-awaited victory at the Chevron World Challenge last week, taking over the formidable Zach Johnson on the last holes. Woods started off the event on a strong note and led the second round with a
grand lead of three shots and kept consolidating his position to finally win the event on the final day. He started off the final day with a one shot deficit and finished with a three-under, 69 to win the title on the windy Sherwood Country Club,Thousand Oaks.
“It just feels awesome whatever it is," said the former world number one. "I've been in contention twice this year, which is not very often, So that's my third time with a chance to win it. I pulled it off this time."
But the final round did not prove to be any easier than what Woods might have contemplated. He had to pull in two consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th to post his much awaited victory. Johnson, who threw himself in contention earlier
in the day, waited for Woods to miss the 18th putt to call in a Playoff, but the 14-major-winner was in no mood to let go of the hard-earned opportunity. Woods has not won a title for the last more than two years, and although he surged to the top-five
finishes in recent months, he was never able to pull in a victory.
"I felt normal, felt very comfortable," Woods said. "I've been here so many times that, you know, I just feel very comfortable being here in this position. Was I nervous? Absolutely. Always nervous in that position. But it's a comfortable feeling, and I
enjoy being in that position."
Woods has been working on his swing with his coach Sean Foley, who also came under scathing criticism for all the wrong reasons. Foley and Woods’ former coach Hank Haney also had a verbal bout with both of them accusing each other for being the reason of
Woods’ lingering vows.
Chevron World Challenge may not be a designated PGA Tour event but it has valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Woods has now surged to 21st on the OWGR from a low of 52nd when he tee-ed off for the event. Top-50 players
from the OWGR as well as several other celebrated players were part of the field.
The victory has come in his 21st start worldwide after Woods won the 2009 Australian Masters. Also being the host, Woods has now won the Chevron World Challenge for five times including the years 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011. Woods finished
runners up last year after leading the second and third rounds ahead of Graeme McDowell, but failed to lift the title on the final day.
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