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CHANDLER'S CROSS, England -- Tiger Woods
didn't have to work for his sixth straight PGA TOUR victory. He just had
to wait.
Woods matched his longest PGA TOUR winning streak Sunday at the World
Golf Championships-American Express Championship, where he was
slowed by two rain delays but never threatened on his way to a 4-under
67 for an eight-shot victory.
It was his eighth victory of the year, making him the first player in
PGA TOUR history to win at least eight times in three seasons. Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer each did
that twice.
And in a week remembered for the death of Nelson at age 94, it rekindled
curiosity whether Lord Byron's record of 11 consecutive victories indeed
is untouchable.
For Woods, this was perhaps his most dominant performance during a
streak that began in July at the British Open.
And there are no signs it will stop.
Woods had such control of his game that he went 36 consecutive holes
without missing the green, a streak that ended when he hit his approach
into a bunker on No. 12 and made his only bogey of the final round.
One other streak ended on the final hole -- it was the first time all
week Woods failed to make eagle on the 567-yard 18th. His chip from just
short of the green ran a few feet past the cup, and he tapped in for a
mere birdie.
He finished at 23-under 261 to finish eight shots ahead of Adam Scott (69) and Ian Poulter
(66).
Woods now is 109 under par over his last six stroke-play tournaments,
and this was his largest margin of victory since he won by 11 at the Bay
Hill Invitational three years ago.
Jim Furyk, Woods' Ryder Cup partner last week in Ireland, was
the closest anyone got to Woods on a dreary afternoon north of London.
With birdies on three of the first five holes, he closed within five
shots until Woods made a birdie, and Furyk showed great class by taking
a penalty when he didn't have to.
Furyk closed with a 69 and finished four at 14-under 270. Ernie Els shot 67 to finish another stroke back.
Woods' winning streak ended two weeks ago when he lost in the first
round of the HSBC World Match Play Championship about 30 minutes away at
Wentworth, although European Tour events do not count toward PGA TOUR
records.
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