‘It feels awesome’ says Woods as he breaks long title drought

The former world No 1 was trailing his fellow American Zach Johnson but pulled out a two at the short 17th and then added a three at the last to close out victory. Woods made a 69 to finish 10 under par for the tournament, one ahead of Johnson who carded a 71.

England’s Paul Casey, who began the week with a 79, finished third on five under after a third successive round under 70, a 69.

Woods had conceded the overnight lead to Johnson after a third round of 73, but he only trailed by one shot and it remained tight between the pair throughout the closing 18 holes.

But when it mattered most Woods made back-to-back birdies while his playing partner managed just pars, securing the swing he needed to take the title and the $1.2million in prize money.

It gave him his first win on the US Tour since the BMW Championship in September 2009, and his first of any kind since the Australian Masters in November of that year, which was followed by the sex scandal which cost him his marriage and led to Woods taking a spell out of golf.

Woods had a four-shot lead over Graeme McDowell a year ago, a margin that evaporated quickly when Woods showed early signs of a struggle, particularly with a pair of three-putts. There was no such evidence this time.

Woods came into this week on a positive note having helped the United States to win the Presidents Cup, after also finishing third in the Australian Open last month. Asked after clinching victory whether it felt like joy, relief or satisfaction, Woods said: “It feels awesome whatever it is.”

He was thrilled to make his birdie at the 17th, turning the final hole into a shoot-out between the front-runners. He had a worthy adversary in Johnson, who trailed for only three holes. “I hit two good putts,” Woods said.

“[The putt on 17] gives me a chance to win it outright, because if I don’t make that putt and come down to 18 it’s in Zach’s control. If he makes birdie, I can’t win. So I just wanted to give myself a chance where a birdie could force a play-off, a birdie could still win, or at least have options, and that putt was huge.”

Johnson said: “I’m obviously disappointed. He birdies the last two holes and makes two great putts and you just tip your hat.”

Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar both went round in 71 to share fourth place on four under, three clear of Jim Furyk, Martin Laird, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson who tied for sixth.

Scotland’s Laird had been seven over par through his opening two rounds but finished with a 70, after Saturday’s 66. First-round leader KJ Choi went into reverse after his opening 66, and had his worst round of the week today, a 78 which left him 12th.

“Tiger can have a long career,” said Casey when he finished.

“We might look back in another 10 years and actually forget about the last couple of years.”