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Make it four for Tiger
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伍兹再发虎威 完成高尔夫四大满贯神话
TIGER WOODS reigned supreme in the golf world on Sunday after winning the Masters to hold every one of the sport's major professional titles.
Woods outduelled David Duval and Phil Mickelson in an extraordinary Masters Sunday shootout to add the Masters to the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship titles he claimed last year for an unprecedented monopoly of golf's most prized trophies.
The 25-year-old Woods sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to put an exclamation mark on his triumph as he posted a four-under-par 68 for a 16-under total of 272 at Augusta National Golf Club for his second Masters title.
Woods pumped his fist in exultation and then pulled his cap over his face to hide his tears of joy and relief, while Mickelson finished putting out.
He then hugged his father and his mother who were beaming with pride at the side of the green.
Duval, who fell out of a tie for the lead with Woods with a bogey at the par-3 16th hole, missed birdie chances at both the 17th and 18th holes to finish with a five-under 67 for a 274.
Mickelson shot a 70 for a 275 total.
The victory was worth US$1,008,000 to Woods, who emulated the feat of Bobby Jones, co-founder of Augusta National and the Masters who swept the US and British Amateurs and US and British Opens in 1930 in what were considered the major championships of his day.
“It probably will go down as one of the top moments in our sport,” Woods said at the green jacket ceremony, dodging the question of whether the sweep should be considered a grand slam, given that it wasn't accomplished in a single season.
“I'm very proud of what I have accomplished at my age.”
Duval and Mickelson, who were both striving to win their first major title, gave Woods a tremendous battle throughout a day packed with incredible tension, even by the Masters' high standards.
The lead changed hands often, with ties at the top also common during the pressure-packed round, with the final turning point coming midway through the back nine.
Duval and Woods were tied for the lead when Duval played the 16th, where he hit his tee shot through the 170-yard hole. He chipped out to within eight feet but his par-putt slid by the left side.
Woods dodged potential danger when he was able to stop at the top of his back swing on the 15th tee when he became distracted by a camera going off. He stepped away, composed himself and ripped a drive down the fairway on his way to a par and a one-shot lead over Duval that he never relinquished.
“The first thing I want to do is congratulate Tiger. He's a friend of mine and to shoot a 68 under this pressure is outstanding,” said Duval, who suffered his third stinging disappointment in the Masters.
Duval was beaten in the 1998 tournament when Mark O'Meara sank an 18-foot putt on the 72nd hole to edge him by one stroke.
The 29-year-old was duelling last year's winner, Vijay Singh, in the final round before putting his second shot in the water at the par-5 13th.
At the awards ceremony on the 18th green, Augusta National chairman William “Hootie” Johnson said: “Tiger, I can say we are honoured to have you as our champion and you are the greatest.”
“To be competing like we did today takes a lot out of you,” said Woods, who won his first Masters in 1997 with a record-setting performance.
“To go head-to-head with Phil, with David just ahead, was just extraordinary. This is a very special place. It was a lot of fun to be a part of it.” (SD-Agencies)
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