[1]Thousand Oaks (California), Dec. 6: US Open champion Graeme McDowell delivered two stunning putts to punctuate his dream season with a playoff triumph over Tiger Woods on Sunday at the World Challenge.
Northern Ireland’s McDowell denied the 14-time major champion a lone tournament title in a 2010 season marked by personal turmoil off the course and struggles with a swing change on the course.
Woods, who had let slip a four-shot lead, appeared poised to seize the victory at the 72nd hole when he put his approach shot three feet from the pin. But McDowell drained his own 20-footer for birdie to send the unofficial event hosted by Woods to a playoff.
Returning to the par-four 18th for the playoff, McDowell then made another 20-footer for birdie while Woods just missed his own 15-footer. McDowell’s triumph left Woods without a victory since the 2009 Australian Masters. McDowell carded a three-under 69 for 272 while Woods shot a two-over 73. Paul Casey was third in the 18-man field after a 69 for 276. The defeat marked the first time in his professional career that Woods lost a tournament when he led by three or more shots after 54 holes.
McDowell improved on his runner-up finish in this event last year, when he was a last-minute replacement for Woods — who opted out of his own event as he was engulfed in a sex scandal that eventually ended his marriage.
Woods didn’t open his 2010 season until the Masters in April, and for the first year since he turned pro failed to notch a US PGA Tour victory. The drought saw him toppled from the number one world ranking in November after five years at the top.
Pic Caption:
Graeme McDowell holds the winner’s trophy after defeating Tiger Woods in a sudden death playoff at the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California, on Sunday.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/mcdowell-pips-woods-wi-071210jpg-160