Woods seals 11th major title
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-24 08:56
HOYLAKE, England, July 23 - Tiger Woods completed one of the best
ball-striking weeks of his career to retain his British Open title with an
emotional two-shot victory over compatriot Chris DiMarco on Sunday.
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Tiger
Woods of the U.S. celebrates with the claret jug trophy after winning the
British Open Championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake July
23, 2006. [Reuters] | One stroke clear at the
start of the day, the 30-year-old American birdied three of the last five holes
at Royal Liverpool for a five-under-par 67, sealing his 11th career major.
Although chased hard by DiMarco, Woods was always in control and coasted to
his third British Open with a superb display of precision golf in breezy
conditions.
Shaping the ball as required and putting beautifully, the world number one
became the first player to lift the Claret Jug two years in a row since fellow
American Tom Watson at Royal Birkdale in 1983.
Having romped to his second Open title by five strokes at St Andrews 12
months ago, the game's leading player completed a successful defence at Hoylake
with a 72-hole total of 18-under 270.
"I don't know where to begin," an emotional Woods told a news conference
after sealing victory in only his third event since the death of his father Earl
on May 3.
"I'm excited and worn out, just so many different emotions to describe right
now because it all came pouring out on 18.
"My father has meant so much to me and the game of golf and I just wish he
could have seen it one more time."
Woods, who moved into second place alongside fellow American Walter Hagen in
the all-time major standings behind only Jack Nicklaus (18), was delighted with
the quality of his play.
BEST BALL-STRIKING
"As far as control, that was probably one of the best ball-striking weeks
I've ever had," he said.
"That's shaping the ball, moving my trajectory and different heights and
really controlling my spin going into the greens."
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