Woods wins Wachovia

Tiger Woods held off an impressive field to take the Wachovia Championship by two shots from Steve Stricker.

Tiger Woods Wachovia Winner

A breathtaking front nine in the final round put Tiger Woods in control of the Wachovia Championship and he was able to hang on for victory. After hovering ominously among the leaders for most of the tournament Woods showed his class on Sunday with a front nine of 31 which included three birdies and an eagle.

Victory looked a sure thing for Woods until a bogey on the 10th and a double on the 13th brought a number of players back into contention. Steve Stricker looked the most likely to challenge with seven birdies on Sunday but a bogey on the last ended his challenge.

The weekend had been billed as a shootout between Woods and Vijay Singh but a disappointing final round of 74 left the Fijian off the pace. South African Rory Sabbatini had lead after the third round but also shot a 74 which was only good enough to tie for third with Phil Mickelson.

Bernhard Langer was the highest-placed European after finishing tied for tenth. This was Woods? first Wachovia Championship victory and his first PGA Tour appearance since the Masters. He will look to continue his form into the Player?s Championship next week.

Wachovia Championship

FINAL LEADERBOARD

US unless stated

-13 T Woods

-11 S Stricker

-9 P Mickelson, R Sabbatini (SA)

Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.