• Memorial Tournament, Round Four

Late burst sees Woods claim 73rd PGA Tour title

Tiger Woods hit top form down the stretch © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• Out of Bounds: Tiger reminds us where much of his greatness lies
  
• News: Woods feels he's back after another magic moment
  
• News: Round Three: Levin takes lead as suffering Tiger fades
  
• News: Round Two: McIlroy misses third straight cut
  
• News: Round One: Woods and McIlroy bounce back
  
• Profile: Tiger Woods

Leaderboard

Tiger Woods produced a stunning late charge to win the Memorial Tournament for a fifth time, equalling the great Jack Nicklaus' record of PGA Tour victories in the process.

The landmark victory was secured thanks to yet another remarkable shot from the American, as he chipped in from a near-impossible spot behind the 16th green - recording a birdie to claim a share of the lead when a bogey looked highly likely.

It is the fifth time Woods has won at Memorial - Nicklaus' own tournament - and the third time he is done so thanks to a crucial chip-in during the final round, although on the previous two occasions they came at the par-four 14th.

Nicklaus later called Woods' shot, "The most unbelievable, gutsy shot I have ever seen."

Needing a good start after fading badly on the back nine on Saturday, Woods got off to a flyer, picking up a shot at the par-four second before reeling off three birdies in succession from the fifth.

A bogey before the turn threatened to derail his charge and, after another at the 10th, it appeared the inconsistencies that have plagued him for some time were back with a vengeance.

He steadied the ship with four straight pars, before turning the screw just when he needed to down the stretch to stun his rivals. After closing the gap on leader Rory Sabbatini to one shot when two-putting the 15th for a birdie from 21 feet, Woods had everyone scratching their heads in disbelief when he chipped in from off the green at 16.

From a near-impossible spot over the back of the green, Woods holed a 50-foot downhill chip in a shot reminiscent of his chip-in at Augusta in 2005, although this one did not hang on the lip before dropping.

Now tying with Sabbatini at the top of the standings, Woods soon took the lead when his rival missed his par putt at 16, and he rammed home his advantage by rolling in a third birdie in four holes with a nine-footer at the last to sign for a joint-best-of-the-day 67.

Sabbatini had too much ground to make up and, once he had hit his approach on 18 over the back of the green, Woods - who ended on nine-under - was left to celebrate tying with Nicklaus in second place on the all-time list of PGA Tour triumphs, with only Sam Snead (82) left to catch.

"I hit it good today," Woods said. "That was some good stuff out there today. I never really missed a shot today. As Sean [Foley, his swing coach] likes to say - go out and put on a stripe show today."

He added: "It's been pretty nice [racking up 73 wins on the PGA Tour]. A nice run since I turned pro. To do it at age 36 is not too shabby. I am proud of what I've done so far. I feel like I've got lots of good years left."

Sabbatini had to make do with a share of second place after a level-par 72 left him two shots adrift of winner Woods. Andres Romero matched Woods' final-day score, with an eagle at 15 the highlight of his 18 holes, which helped him to finish the week alongside Sabbatini.

Overnight leader Spencer Levin finished in a share of fourth, while Justin Rose enjoyed his most successful round of the week, the Englishman posting a three-under 69 to end the tournament in eighth place on three-under. Rose gradually improved as the week went on, but he saved his best till last to sign off on a high.

World No. 1 Luke Donald found his form with an eye-catching 68 to end on one-under - one shot behind compatriot Greg Owen. He hit 72 per cent of greens in regulation and enjoyed some success with the putter; he needed only 27 swings of the short stick.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.