Tiger caps year to remember with eighth victory

THOUSAND OAKS: Tiger Woods dominated the field firing a four-under 68 Sunday for commanding victory in the final PGA tournament of the year.   

Woods defeated fellow American Zach Johnson by seven shots at the 5.75 million dollar Target World Challenge at the Sherwood Country Club course.   

"It's the end of the year," Woods said. "Stevie (caddie) and I, we were talking about it coming up the last hole, that it's been just a great year.   

"It's been a long year but also one that we've thoroughly enjoyed. I just can't wait until obviously next season starts."   

With his family looking on, including baby daughter Sam Alexis, Woods tied Davis Love's tournament record with a total of 22-under 266.   

"Today was scrappy. I felt really good with the putter other than the putt I hit at the seventh," Woods said. "I felt like I could make anything. Just tried to get the ball on the green where I'd have a putt at it."   

Woods earned 1.3 million dollars, which he will donate to his foundation, and won for the fourth time in the nine-year history of the event.   

Players who thought Woods might come into the tournament a little rusty after a long layoff were in for a surprise.   

"I felt really good about my preparation coming into the event," Woods said. "Unfortunately I wasn't able to hit the ball consistently like I wanted to for all four days, but I putted well for all four days and that also makes up for a lot of sins.   

"The most satisfying thing is the way I played the first two days after taking time off."   

Playing under sunny skies, Woods began the day with a six-stroke lead and increased the lead to seven after Furyk made a bogey on the par-four second hole.   

But Furyk chipped away, cutting it to six with a birdie on number four. There was a two-shot swing on the seventh hole when Furyk made a birdie and Woods lipped out a par putt.   

"I kept reminding myself that I still had the lead and Jim had to come get me and just try to make myself aware where I was with nine holes to go," Woods said. "You try and put the spin on it, try and make it real positive.   

"Even though I made two bogeys there on the front nine, I was even par for the day. It wasn't like I was backing up and shooting over par.   

"If I could shoot two under, three under, four under par on that back nine, I felt like I could win the tournament."   
On the par-three eighth hole, Woods missed the green for the four consecutive day. He made par, but Furyk made birdie to cut the lead to three.   

On the ninth hole, Woods hit his approach shot into the right greenside bunker and could not save par. Furyk could have gotten to within one, but missed his 18-foot birdie putt to the right.   

But on the 10th hole, Furyk made a crucial mistake that cost him a chance to catch Woods.   

Furyk had hit his approach shot to four feet and was looking to tie Woods, but three-putted, while Woods made his birdie for a two-shot swing.   

Woods never relinquished the four-stroke cushion. Any hope Furyk or Johnson had was gone when Woods made an eagle on the 16th hole and increased the lead to seven.    

Woods sank his final putt on 18 and immediately went over to his mother and asked how young Sam was feeling.   

"I didn't see (Sam) her out there until I was done, but it puts things in perspective real quick," Woods said. "Even though I had won, I just wanted to know how she's doing, how she's been all day. I forgot that for a moment, hey, I won a golf tournament.   

"It put things in perspective right away. That's how powerful family is."   

Woods is expected to take another long break before returning to play in the Buick Invitational at San Diego's Torrey Pines course in late January.