Woods wins Farmers event for the 7th time
BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
1/29/13 at 4:50 AM
Related Story: Golf scores
SAN DIEGO - Tiger Woods is a winner again at Torrey Pines, and the only question Monday was how long it would take him to finish.
Woods stretched his lead to eight shots in the Farmers Insurance Open before losing his focus and his patience during a painfully slow finish by the group ahead.
Despite dropping four shots over the last five holes, he still managed an even-par 72 for a victory on the course where he has won more than any other in his pro career.
He rallied with a two-putt par on the 18th hole to win by four shots over defending champion Brandt Snedeker and Josh Teater, who had the best finish of his career.
He won the tournament for the seventh time, one behind the record held by Sam Snead, who won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times. It was the eighth time Woods won at Torrey Pines, which includes his playoff win in the 2008 U.S Open.
This one was never close.
Woods built a six-shot lead with 11 holes to play when the final round of the fog-delayed tournament was suspended Sunday by darkness. He returned Monday - a late morning restart because CBS Sports wanted to show it in the afternoon on the East Coast - and looked stronger than ever until the tournament dragged to a conclusion.
Having to wait on every tee and from every fairway - or the rough, in his case - Woods made bogey from the bunker on the 14th, hooked a tee shot on the 15th that went off the trees and into a patch of ice plant and led to double bogey, and then popped up his tee shot on the 17th on his way to another bogey.
All that affected was the score. It kept him from another big margin of victory, although the message was clear about his game long before that.
One week after he missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, he ruled at Torrey Pines.
It was his 75th career win, seven short of the Snead's all-time tour record.
"It got a little ugly toward the end," Woods said. "I started losing patience a little bit with the slow play. I lost my concentration a little bit."
Woods effectively won this tournament in the final two hours Sunday, when he stretched his lead to six shots with only 11 holes to play.
Nick Watney made a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth when play resumed to get within five shots, only to drop three shots on the next five holes.
More than his 75th career win, it was a strong opening statement for what could be a fascinating 2013.
"I think he wanted to send a message," said former Oklahoma State star Hunter Mahan, who shares a swing coach with Woods. "I think deep down he did. You play some games to try to motivate yourself. There's been so much talk about Rory (McIlroy). Rory is now with Nike. That would be my guess."
Mahan got a good look at Woods this week, playing in the group behind him on the front nine because Mahan was first off on the two-tee start.
"He looked strong," Mahan said. "He had great control of his swing. He was hitting some strong shots, different from any other player I saw out here."
Woods is not likely to return to golf until the Match Play Championship next month.
Final leaderboard
Farmers Insurance Open
| Tiger Woods | 274 | -14 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 278 | -10 |
| Josh Teater | 278 | -10 |
| Jimmy Walker | 279 | -9 |
| Nick Watney | 279 | -9 |
PGA up next
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Thursday-Sunday
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Associated Images:
Tiger Woods celebrates after his victory in the Farmers Insurance Open on Monday in San Diego. He has won the event seven times. LENNY IGNELZI / Associated Press
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