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Woods 'getting better' in hunt for world No. 1 spot

Tiger Woods is pleased with his form after victory at Doral © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods believes he is taking steps in the right direction after completing a comfortable victory in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.

Capturing his first WGC title since 2009, the world No. 2 is pleased that his game is starting to show consistency.

"I'm just trying to get better," Woods said. "It's very simple. I feel like my game's becoming more efficient. It's more consistent day in and day out, and I'm very pleased with the progress I've made.

"The greens got really quick out there. And if you left the ball in the correct spot though, you could be pretty aggressive and you could shoot a good number."

Woods, who finished two shots ahead of fellow American and world No. 8 Steve Stricker, was quick to pay tribute to his good friend after he sought advice in a 45-minute practice session on the putting green last week.

"Thank-you to Steve for the putting lesson," Woods said. "It was one of those weeks where I felt pretty good about how I was playing, made a few putts and got it rolling."

With Woods due to compete for his eighth Bay Hill title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational next week, a return to one of his most successful courses could well prove a perfect warm-up to the Masters for the 14-time major winner.

Meanwhile, after suffering a struggled start at The Blue Monster, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy has admitted his strong finish at Doral has helped regain his confidence. McIlroy, who walked off at the recent Honda Classic after dropping seven shots in eight holes, was pleased to end the week on a positive.

"I'm quite happy with where my game is at compared to where it was at the start of the week," McIlroy told Sky Sports 2. "There is quite a bit to go but scores like today and shots like that over the last three days definitely give me confidence."

World rankings: 1. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 2. Tiger Woods (USA), 3. Luke Donald (ENG), 4. Brandt Snedeker (USA), 5. Justin Rose (ENG), 6. Louis Ooisthuizen (RSA), 7. Adam Scott (AUS), 8. Steve Stricker (USA), 9. Matt Kuchar (USA), 10. Phil Mickelson (USA), 11. Lee Westwood (ENG), 12. Ian Poulter (ENG), 13. Bubba Watson (USA), 14. Keegan Bradley (USA), 15. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 16. Charl Schwartzel (RSA), 17. Sergio Garcia (ESP), 18. Jason Dufner (USA), 19. Webb Simpson (USA), 20. Peter Hanson (SWE)

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