A 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Buick
Invitational sealed an 8-stroke win for Tiger Woods, giving him a
62nd career title that moved him into a tie with legendary Arnold
Palmer.
The win was Woods' fourth consecutive on the same course -- San
Diego, California's seaside Torrey Pines Golf Course -- that will
be the site of the U.S. Open in June.
"I'm sure that there are many, many more coming in the future,"
Palmer said. "There isn't any question about that."
He won't get an argument from Woods. Having won for the fifth
time in his last six starts on the PGA Tour, Woods said he was at
another level — even better than 2000 — and still had room for
improvement.
Better than 2000, when he won nine times and three straight
majors?
"Yeah," Woods said without hesitation.
Woods finished at 19-under 269 to win the Buick Invitational for
the fourth consecutive year, tying a PGA Tour record for
consecutive wins in a single tournament. Woods is the only player
to own such a streak at two events, having also won four in a row
at Bay Hill.
Woods returns to Torrey Pines in June for the U.S. Open, and if
this week was any indication, it could be another long week for his
peers. The world's No. 1 player now has won six times as a pro at
Torrey Pines, and his comment earlier this month that the Grand
Slam is "easily within reason" looked every bit of that.
(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2008)