Orlando: Tiger Woods snapped the longest winless drought of his career with a dominating five-shot victory over Graeme McDowell at the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
It marked the first PGA Tour victory for Woods in 30 months, ending a winless spell that coincided with the personal turmoil that followed a 2009 sex scandal.
“It’s not like winning a major championship or anything,” Woods said yesterday. “But it certainly feels really good.”
Woods drained a short par putt on the par-four 18 to complete his round of two-under 70 and post a 13-under 275 total at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge course.
“It was just pure joy,” Woods said
The 14-time major winner, wearing his Sunday red and black pants, celebrated his 72nd PGA Tour victory with a fist pump then the customary shaking of hands with runner-up McDowell, who finished at eight-under 280. “Today was unbelievable. The conditions were rough and those pins,” he said.
“I don’t know what the average score was today, but it certainly wasn’t anywhere near par.
“It was a very tough day. It was a day of attrition. There weren’t going to be a lot of birdie opportunities out there.”
England’s Ian Poulter finished in third seven shots behind Woods, while South Africa’s Ernie Els was part of a group of seven golfers who tied for fourth at the $6 million event.
Woods had been on a win drought since revelations of his secret sex life in November of 2009 left his reputation in tatters, put his marriage on the path to divorce and sent sponsors fleeing.
Amid the uproar, Woods’ game suffered and his struggles continued in 2011 as he battled to cement swing changes despite injuries that limited his playing time.
“I am thankful for a lot of people helping me out. You all know who you are. It has been tough,” Woods said.
Host and golfing icon Palmer missed the end of his tournament after he was taken to the hospital with a blood pressure problem.
It is the custom at this event for Palmer to greet players just off the edge of the 18th green as they finish their rounds but he couldn’t do that Sunday. (Agencies)
