Tiger Woods easily fended off his challengers to capture the PGA Tour Championship by eight strokes and collect US$11.2 million in prize money on Sunday.
Woods, who has won four of his past five tournaments, fired a four-under 66 for his 61st career PGA Tour victory.
The 13-time major winner became the first player in PGA Tour history to win seven or more events in a season four different times. He is now one win away from equalling Arnold Palmer (62) for fourth on the all-time win list.
PHOTO: AFP
"I really played some good golf and got on a birdie run there in the middle of the round and basically put it away," Woods said.
Woods not only collected the US$1.2 million for winning the tourney, but also the US$10 million bonus as the inaugural FedEx Cup points champion.
The US$10 million will be paid as an annuity into his retirement account for Woods, who finished with a 23-under total of 257.
Asked if he could remember another time, including as a junior when he won two trophies in a single tournament, Woods said: "I don't ever remember doing it."
After a modest start, Woods birdied the sixth hole and then caught fire on the back nine to finish with six birdies and two bogeys at the East Lake Golf Club.
Woods started the day with a three-shot cushion over playing partner Mark Calcavecchia.
Masters champion Zach Johnson, who fired a course record 60 on Saturday, shot 68 to finish in a tie for second with Calcavecchia who fired a 71 for 265.
Woods is now an amazing 41-3 when in the lead going into the final round of a PGA event. Oddly enough, Woods' brilliant record as a frontrunner wasn't crafted at the East Lake Golf Club.
Woods was hoping to erase memories of two Sunday collapses at East Lake in 2000 and 2004, when he lost third-round leads. It has only happened three times in his PGA Tour career.
"I had my chances at this golf course, I just hadn't got it done yet," Woods said. "I have been close been in position led for three rounds, just hadn't gotten it done. There was no reason why I couldn't do it this week and it so happened to be."
Woods also became the first player to win the Tour Championship a second time and his 257 is the lowest score in Tour Championship history.
Woods shot 33 on the front nine and Calcavecchia made the turn at 34 as he failed to capitalize on several opportunities early to close the gap on Woods.
Calcavecchia said he doesn't see any flaws in Woods' game.
"A pretty easy 66," Calcavecchia said. "He sets up his game by driving it so well. When he bombs it down there his distance control is so good and his short irons are good and he controls his spin. And he is the best ever, best ever putter, period."
Woods hit nine of 14 fairways, 14 of 18 greens and needed 28 putts on the day.
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