American Tiger Woods has won the annual exhibition golf tournament he hosts, posting a two-stroke victory over Padraig Harrington of Ireland at the Target World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. His victory may be an indication that Tiger's game is coming back together.
Woods fired a bogey-free five-under-par round of 66 Sunday for a 16-under 268 total. Though for the first time in his career he did not win a stroke-play event on the PGA Tour this year, Woods' win Sunday was his second straight during the so-called "silly-season." That is a series of tournaments that feature big money, but do not count toward official standings.
Woods, who has been experimenting with his swing, missed only one green and played what was probably his most complete round of the year. The American says all the adjustments finally seem to be paying off.
"I just had to take baby steps and I did it all year," he said. "I was working in the right direction. Sometimes it might have just been three or four holes in one round that I played great, the way I know I can. And then the rest of it was not so good. But then eventually it became nine holes, then 18 holes then 36, then 54 - now I have a whole tournament, so it is exciting."
After getting into contention by firing a 31 on the front nine, Harrington kept pace until some errant shots on the final three holes. Colin Montgomerie of Scotland tied for third place at 13-under-par 271 with American Jay Haas. An elite field of 16 players competed in the tournament.
Woods donated the $1.25 million first prize to his foundation for children.
