Masters boost as Woods ends PGA Tour title wait
FORMER world No1 Tiger Woods gave his Masters hopes a timely boost by winning his first PGA Tour title for more than two years last night at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Woods comfortably held off Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell at Bay Hill, carding a two-under-par final round of 70 to finish five strokes clear on 13 under.
McDowell had begun the final day in Florida just one behind Woods but shot a 74, the same as England’s Ian Poulter, who finished two further adrift in third.
The American’s 72nd PGA Tour title, and first since September 2009, took him to within one of Jack Nicklaus and lifted his spirits for the year’s first Major at Augusta in 10 days.
“I’m excited, there’s no doubt,” Woods said. “I’m looking forward to [using] the momentum I’ve built here. The things I’ve done to my game are coming together at the right time.”