Woods clinches Arnold Palmer Invitational Win
Tiger Woods shot a stunning 24-foot putt for a dramatic birdie on the final hole to claim his ninth win in 10 Golf tournaments at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Number one Woods went into the 18th hole with fellow American Bart Bryant on nine-under-par and looked ready for a play-off.
Bryant, ranked 137th before this event, had kept the pressure on Woods throughout with a consistent round of 67 but was left to watch a perfect putt for victory -This made it Woods’s seventh successive worldwide.
Woods celebrated with a punch of his fist and threw his hat to the ground before picking the ball out of the hole.
“It was just a great day. I hit the ball well all day,” said Woods who had struggled to find his form in the opening two rounds and who had been down in 20th place. “I was trying to get the speed right, trying not to leave myself a second putt and it went in,” said Woods of his winning stroke.
But the 32-year-old said he was more pleased with his drive to the green where, with the wind changing direction, he opted for a five iron and found the green and his chance of that tournament-winning birdie.
Woods ended the day with a four-under-par 66 for a total of 10-under 270.
Woods’s 64th PGA Tour victory means he draws level with Ben Hogan in the list of all-time rankings — only Sam Snead (82) and Jack Nicklaus (73) have won more.
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