Tiger Woods wins again

His last round of the year Sunday in the Target World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club amounted to nothing more than an 18-hole ceremony honoring the world’s best player and starring exactly the same guy.

It’s the Tiger Woods Show, the greatest hit in golf, and after his closing round of 68 worth a seven-shot victory over Zach Johnson, his stature inched up a few more notches, if that’s even possible.

But make no mistake, Woods doesn’t see this as the beginning of anything.

“It’s the end of the year,” he said. “It’s been just a great year. It’s been a long year, but also one that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed.”

Woods’ 22-under total of 266 tied the tournament record, and for the fourth time he donated his winner’s check, US$1.35 million, to his foundation and learning center. His eighth victory of the year, even if it doesn’t count add to his total of 61 PGA Tour wins, was merely the closing chapter in another remarkable calendar year for Woods.

“On the golf course, it’s been a great year. Off the golf course, it’s been the greatest year I’ve ever had.”

And so what does Woods do now? He’s going Christmas shopping for his 5 1/2-month old daughter, Sam, with Woods getting a half-day to shop with her and wife Elin getting the other half-day. As for Woods, he received his Christmas gift early, the chance to kiss Sam, held aloft by Woods’ mother Kultida, as he left the 18th green.

Elin got a kiss from Woods, too, although he didn’t show quite the same level of affection for the players he left in his wake, but handing out US$5.75 million in prize money probably eased the pain somewhat.

Woods had a seven-shot lead after three holes, but a three-putt bogey at the 7th and a missed green at the 9th that led to another bogey allowed Jim Furyk to get to within two shots at the turn.

“All of a sudden it was looking good, tight,” said Furyk, who was 4 under on the front.

And all of a sudden, it changed. Furyk looked at a birdie, but three-putted the 10th for a bogey and Woods dropped in a birdie putt from 15 feet. The rout was on. When Woods hit back-to-back 5 woods at the 537-yard 16th and then sent the ball scurrying into the hole from 18 feet for an eagle, no one had a chance.

Furyk fell to third with his 71 that included a second consecutive double bogey at the 15th, once again knocking his tee shot into the water.

Said Furyk: “I wouldn’t mind dynamiting 15, to be honest with you.”

Johnson, who closed with a 68, was second at 15 under 273. But he was a distant second, all because of Woods.

“I don’t know if that guys knows what pressure is,” he said.

If Woods is a phenomenon, then he’s a paranormal star in longstanding. Woods turns 32 this month and will kick off his 12th full year on the PGA Tour when he shows up at Torrey Pines in late January for the Buick Invitational.

More than one player made the observation this week that Woods seems to be on the upswing again, as if his trajectory has been anything but soaring for as long as anyone can remember.

Except for those couple of wobbles on the front, Woods remained as predictably brilliant as ever.

“It seems like Tiger is getting back on that momentum train that derails very little,” Johnson said.

The last hammer dropped at the 166-yard 17th, where Woods swung a 7 iron and stopped the ball seven feet from the pin. When he sank the putt, there was nothing left to do except say goodbye to 2007 and wonder what’s next for Woods.

One thing’s for sure, said Colin Montgomerie, that 2 1/2-month break Woods took before this week didn’t mean much.

“Doesn’t help us, does it? If he took a bloody year off, it would help.”

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