Jim Furyk ends win drought and looks forward to Tiger return

Published on Monday 7 December 2009 23:11

JIM Furyk won Tiger Woods' tournament and then hoped the world No1 would return to golf as quickly as possible.

American Furyk won the Chevron World Challenge in California on Sunday, a tournament missing host Woods following the car crash and subsequent fall-out over the 14-time major winner's private life.

Woods called an end to his season last Monday after withdrawing from the Chevron World Challenge event, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, leaving Furyk to end a 28-month victory drought in the 18-player tournament. Yet the winner said the absent Woods should not stay away from competition for too long.

"I think the PGA Tour would like to see him come back as soon as possible," said Furyk. "He usually starts the year at Torrey Pines, I guess, but Tiger's going to play 15 to 18 events a year. I think whether that starts at Torrey or it starts in Florida or Augusta (at the Masters in April), he's still going to play the 15 to 18 events. He's still going to be the key player, and all is well.

"I think from his perspective as a friend, I think he's got to think of his family and himself first, and when the time is right, he'll be back."

Woods on Sunday issued a statement on his official website thanking tournament organisers, sponsors, players and fans for supporting his annual event. Making no reference to his personal problems or the unspecified injuries cited as reasons for his withdrawal, Woods said: "I am so grateful to them for their efforts and I am sincerely sorry I was unable to fulfil my duties as host and player in this important event."

Furyk, meanwhile rewarded himself with a Christmas off following his first victory since the 2007 Canadian Open.

He explained: "I can remember so many years where we had Christmas and everything was great and last year I woke up on the 26th and went to work, started beating balls. It's nice not to have that urgency and enjoy the holidays a little bit more and spend time with the family."

Furyk brought his winless streak to end when he held off a strong European effort to win in California. He shot a closing, five-under-par 67 to reach 13-under-par to win by a stroke from Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell at Sherwood Country Club near Los Angeles.