Tiger Woods is finally winner again after a clutch win at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge.
After going winless in 26 tournaments that spanned over two years, Woods finally hoisted a winner's trophy, besting a spirited challenge from former Masters champion Zach Johnson and 16 other golfers. Woods birdied the last two holes, finishing 10-under 278, enroute to winning the Chevron World Challenge for the fifth time.
Woods hosts this annual golf tournament for his own Tiger Woods Foundation, donating $1.2 million for his win this year.
I actually believed that last year's Chevron challenge will be Woods' breakthrough win after going through a sex scandal, a divorce, swing & personnel changes and injuries. But he squandered a 4-shot lead entering the final round, eventually losing to 2010 US Open champ Graeme McDowell in a play-off.
The win pushes Woods' ranking in the Official World Golf Rankings to No. 21. After almost a lifetime of being no. 1, his rankings plummeted to no. 58 this year. More importantly, the win signifies that Woods is closer to being his former self.
Elsewhere in the world, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood also won. The 2012 golf season just became curiouser.
Charl Schwartzel emerged from highly contested final round in recent memory in Augusta to don the symbolic Green Jacket as the 2011 Masters Champion.
Charl Schwartzel wears the Green Jacket, helped by 2010 champ Phil Mickelson
Image from ESPN/Golf Video
Casual golf fans like me never heard of him, but it sure is a great way to introduce one's self via The Masters at the famed Augusta National Golf course.
Wikipedia says that Schwartzel hails from South Africa who is actively touring the European Tour and Sunshine Tour professional golfing circuits. This is only his 2nd appearance in the Masters and he is another first time Masters and grand slam winner.
What many predicted to be a win, and perhaps a coronation stroll, for Rory McIlroy who had a four stroke lead after the third round turned out to be entirely different. 8 players had at least a share of the lead. This included, Tiger Woods who made a charged fell short in the back nine to finish his best final round in Augusta 67 but only tied for fourth just like last year.
McIlroy carded an 80 in a final round stunning collapse. I remember last year's British Open where he also carded an 80 after a great score the previous round. But at least then, the wind was mad. I think this time, he really felt the pressure of Augusta.
In the end, Charl Schwartel closed out with four straight birdies, two shots clear over Adam Scott and Jason Day to be the 2011 Masters champion.
*****
I'm curious how the Green Jacket is prepared. Does Augusta measures all contestants and then orders for those who makes it through weekend? Or is it free-sized? :D
Masters Tournament logo taken from Wikipedia
Tiger Woods is finally back... back to winning. After knee surgery and two tournaments this year, Woods captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational for his first victory of the year in a dramatic come-from-behind win - with a flair we are so accustomed to see in him.
I was fortunate to tuned in and catch Woods making par at the 14th hole still down one stroke to Sean O'hair. But when he connected on a long birdie putt at the 15th to tie it, I felt that all the momentum is on Tiger's side and Sean O'hair would need to make something special to turn the tide.
At the 16th, O'hair's ball landed on the water and Tiger finally took the lead. On the 17th, Tiger had a bogey because his ball fell on a difficult lie on after the tee.
It was tied going into the last hole but you can sensed from the crowd that they knew Tiger would win.
And he did in superb style. Tiger birdied the last hole to capture his sixth title in this event and 66th win in his PGA Tour Career.
He started the day 5 shots back and his win proved onced again he could come back to win a tournament although he has yet to do that in major championships.
The win is definitely a big boost as he prepares for his favorite golf major championship, The Masters on April.
