Woods claims first Accenture Match Play title

BY iseekgolf.com | US PGA Tour | 2003 Accenture Match Play Championship | Wrap | 03 Mar 2003

Tiger Woods has secured his first Accenture Match Play title after holding off a determined comeback from David Toms to win the US$6 million championship. The world number one claimed the 36-hole match, 2 and 1 over Toms following a one-metre par putt on the 35th hole.

Woods is the first player to win all four of the World Golf Championships with three NEC Invitational titles, two American Express Championship titles and the 2000 World Cup with fellow Nike stable mate, David Duval. The win was Tiger’s 36th on the PGA Tour and the first prize of US$1,050,000 was his largest on tour. Toms had to settle for US$600,000 as runner-up.

Early on in the day Woods looked like he may have run away with the title, especially after he had an early 5-up lead, however, Toms rolled in a monster 35-foot birdie putt to swing the momentum his way, and then went on to make a charge that, at times, made Woods look vulnerable.

A five-metre birdie putt at the 15th hole reduced the lead to 1 up with three holes to play. After they parred the 16th, Toms missed the fairway and then hit into rough. His chip out of the rough came up short of the green, and his chip to make par did not find its mark.

Adam Scott, who had almost denied Woods another chance at the Match Play title in the semi-finals, was 6 up through eight holes in the 18-hole consolation match against fellow Australian Peter Lonard. However, Lonard played his usual game to make a fighting comeback only to lose to the 45th ranked, Scott, who birdied the 18th to go 1 up.

Scott took home US$480,000; the largest cheque of his career while Lonard won $390,000, which was also the largest payday for the talented Australian.

Final Round Scores
Tiger Woods def David Toms – 2 and 1
Adam Scott def Peter Lonard – 1 up