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Bryant win provides Cinderella finish to season
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-07 10:00
ELITE PLAYERS
"These guys are the elite players in the world. But I found out that, if I'm
on top of my game under the right conditions, I definitely can compete with
these guys."
In an elite field limited to the season's top 30 money earners, Bryant held
off all challengers the entire week, including last-day rallies from world
number one Woods and defending champion Goosen.
Woods, who could have become golf's first $11 million man with victory, began
the day four strokes behind Bryant. He mounted a brief charge on the back nine
but ended up having to settle for a distant second place after carding a 69.
"He (Bryant) did what he had to do," said Woods, who ended his own season
with six titles and player of the year honours. "That was impressive.
"The golf course is playing fast and it's right up his alley but you still
have to make the putts, hit the fairways and hit the greens and he did that all
week.
"He played consistent, made some putts, so hats off to him."
American Scott Verplank also closed with a 69 to finish third at nine under
with compatriot Davis Love III (69), world number two Singh (67) and Goosen a
further two strokes back in a tie for fourth.
South African Goosen went into the last day three strokes off Bryant's lead
but fell apart on his way to a 74, rekindling unpleasant memories of his
final-round U.S. Open meltdown at Pinehurst in June.
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