Woods cruises to sixth Bridgestone title
IN: News | US PGA | Bridgestone Invitational (2007) | by Jason Savidge | 06 Aug 2007
Tiger Woods has won his sixth Bridgestone Invitational title after firing a impressive closing round of 65 on the rain soaked Firestone layout to leave the rest of the field in his wake, eight shots behind. It was the second highest winning margin since the tournament joined the World Golf Championships in 1999, the previous record of 11 under was also set by Woods in 2000.
His victory today gives Woods three straight wins for the second time at this event and marks his fourteenth win in just twenty-five attempts in World Golf Championship events. It also marks his 58th PGA Tour title, still well short of Sam Snead’s record of 82 but one senses that Woods will topple that record in due course.
On a day when sub-par rounds were at a premium, Justin Rose’s two under par 68 was enough to move him into a share of second place alongside the diminished Sabbatini.
Australia’s Peter Lonard turned around a rather ordinary season with a final round of 68, moving him in to a share of 4th place with Chris DiMarco. The US$310,000 prizemoney moves the New South Welshman past the million dollar mark for 2007 and will ensure he safely retains his Tour card for 2008.
It was clear from early on that Woods was here to win. Back to back birdies on the opening holes, brought the world number one back in line with Sabbatini at five under.
The turning point came with a birdie from Woods, which went unmatched by Sabbatini following bogeys at the 4th and 5th holes, marking a two shot swing to Woods from which the South African would never recover.
“Obviously Tiger played exceptional golf out there. Every time he got in trouble, he made some miraculous hots. I was not very happy with the way I played out there today. I made a lot of mental errors, and I just put myself in some bad situations.”
Sabbatini’s frustration boiled over on the 9th hole where he had a heckler removed from the tournament grounds.
“Well you know, the situation is we’re out here to do our job. You know, even on 18 there, the guys were being very insulting towards Kenny Perry’s first putt. But I guess a few too many beers were talking.”
The South African went on to double-bogey the 9th to make the turn in 38 and fall six strokes behind Woods, who had chipped in from just off the green to make par.
Two bogeys from Sabbatini on the back nine further fuelled his self-destruction, the only saviour coming with a birdie at the par 4, 17th. But it was a case of too little, too late.
While the tournament was Sabbatini’s to win or lose on the final day, it was Woods’ experience in the heat of the battle that would serve him well yet again today.
Perhaps the outspoken South African will learn to let sleeping Tigers lie.
