Resurgent Woods on top of the world again
Source: Agencies |
March 27, 2013, Wednesday
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TIGER Woods reclaimed the world No. 1 spot on Monday for the first time since his career was derailed by a sex scandal and a string of injuries.
Woods' victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, saw the 37-year-old replace Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy atop the rankings in the latest milestone of his comeback from a spectacular fall from personal and professional grace.
"I play well here," said Woods, who secured his eighth victory at Bay Hill with after a closing round of 2-under 70. "That is about as simple as it gets. It is a by-product of hard work and patience."
It took an extra day, but Woods out-dueled fellow American Rickie Fowler down the stretch, winning by two strokes.
Woods, who pocketed US$1.08 million for Monday's win, has won 14 majors in his career and had previously spent a record 623 weeks on top of the world.
But he has not led the rankings for nearly three years, after injuries and an infamous scandal. Woods fell to his lowest rank on November 11, 2011, when he dropped to 58th in the world.
His woes began in 2009 when a US tabloid aired claims he had had an affair with a nightclub manageress. Two days later, amid speculation about his marriage, he was slightly injured when he crashed his car near his home.
In December of that year, Woods issued two statements admitting to serial marital infidelity and announced he would take a break from golf. He returned to golf at the 2010 Masters in April, but his marriage was over and his divorce with former model Elin Nordegren was granted in August. His return to the top took three years.
"The first step in the process was getting healthy. Once I got there, then my game turned," Woods said. "I've won six times on the tour the last couple years. That's not bad."
Last week, Woods announced that he was dating ski racer Lindsey Vonn. "Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!" Vonn tweeted after Woods' victory.
Woods also claimed his 77th PGA Tour victory - his 99th professional win - in his final tune-up for next month's Masters.
Woods has now won 51 times in 55 tries when holding the lead entering the final round and is five wins shy of matching Sam Snead's all-time record on the PGA Tour.
He and American compatriot Snead are also the only players to win the same tournament eight times with Snead doing it at the Greater Greensboro Open.
Woods' victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, saw the 37-year-old replace Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy atop the rankings in the latest milestone of his comeback from a spectacular fall from personal and professional grace.
"I play well here," said Woods, who secured his eighth victory at Bay Hill with after a closing round of 2-under 70. "That is about as simple as it gets. It is a by-product of hard work and patience."
It took an extra day, but Woods out-dueled fellow American Rickie Fowler down the stretch, winning by two strokes.
Woods, who pocketed US$1.08 million for Monday's win, has won 14 majors in his career and had previously spent a record 623 weeks on top of the world.
But he has not led the rankings for nearly three years, after injuries and an infamous scandal. Woods fell to his lowest rank on November 11, 2011, when he dropped to 58th in the world.
His woes began in 2009 when a US tabloid aired claims he had had an affair with a nightclub manageress. Two days later, amid speculation about his marriage, he was slightly injured when he crashed his car near his home.
In December of that year, Woods issued two statements admitting to serial marital infidelity and announced he would take a break from golf. He returned to golf at the 2010 Masters in April, but his marriage was over and his divorce with former model Elin Nordegren was granted in August. His return to the top took three years.
"The first step in the process was getting healthy. Once I got there, then my game turned," Woods said. "I've won six times on the tour the last couple years. That's not bad."
Last week, Woods announced that he was dating ski racer Lindsey Vonn. "Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!" Vonn tweeted after Woods' victory.
Woods also claimed his 77th PGA Tour victory - his 99th professional win - in his final tune-up for next month's Masters.
Woods has now won 51 times in 55 tries when holding the lead entering the final round and is five wins shy of matching Sam Snead's all-time record on the PGA Tour.
He and American compatriot Snead are also the only players to win the same tournament eight times with Snead doing it at the Greater Greensboro Open.
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