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AKRON (Ohio), Aug 28: Firestone specialist Tiger Woods won his fourth consecutive PGA Tour title with a protracted playoff victory over fellow American Stewart Cink at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday.
As late afternoon rain swept across the course, the world No 1 triumphed by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole where 2004 champion Cink found the front greenside bunker with his approach.
Woods had a chance of sealing the win on the previous hole but left a par putt from a similar distance an inch short. Cink ran his own par attempt there a couple of feet past the cup.
The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 270, Woods carding a two-under 68 and 2004 champion Cink closing with a 69.
Woods clinched his fifth victory at Firestone Country Club in seven starts and the 52nd PGA Tour title of his career.
Woods has claimed 11 individual WGC titles in 21 starts and his winning streak over the last six weeks includes last month's British Open and the PGA Championship seven days ago.
He now lies joint fifth with Byron Nelson (52) in the all-time standings for PGA Tour victories with only Arnold Palmer (62), Ben Hogan (64), Jack Nicklaus (73) and Sam Snead (82) ahead.
American Jim Furyk, who twice held a share of the lead in a wildly fluctuating final round at Firestone, signed off with a 68 to finish alone in third place at nine under.
Leading final round scores:
270 – Tiger Woods (US) 67, 64, 71, 68; Stewart Cink (US) 70, 67, 64, 69 (Woods wins play-off at the fourth extra hole).
271 – Jim Furyk (US) 69, 65, 69, 68.
273 – Angel Cabrera (Argentina) 70, 68, 70, 65; Davis Love III (US) 67, 65, 70, 71; Lucas Glover (US) 66, 69, 69, 69; Paul Casey (Britain) 69, 69, 64, 71.
274 – Luke Donald (Britain) 67, 69, 70, 68; David Toms (US) 67, 74, 65, 68.
275 – Arron Oberholser (US) 70, 71, 69, 65; J.J. Henry (US) 70, 68, 68, 69; Adam Scott (Australia) 63, 71, 71, 70.
277 – Ian Poulter (Britain) 71, 71, 67, 68; Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 69, 70, 68, 70; Kevin Stadler (US) 68, 67, 70, 72.
278 – Ben Crane (US) 73, 67, 70, 68.
279 – Michael Campbell (New Zealand) 67, 71, 70, 71.
280 – Stephen Ames (Canada) 69, 70, 71, 70; Vaughn Taylor (US) 71, 67, 71, 71; Robert Gamez (US) 70, 67, 72, 71; Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 72, 67, 67, 74.
281 – Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) 68, 70, 74, 69; K.J. Choi (South Korea) 75, 70, 67, 69; Robert Allenby (Australia) 71, 71, 68, 71; Sergio Garcia (Spain) 69, 73, 68, 71; Mike Weir (Canada) 69, 71, 69, 72.
282 – Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 73, 71, 70, 68; Chris DiMarco (U.S.) 68 72 71 71; Carl Pettersson (Sweden) 70, 72, 68, 72; Kenny Perry (US) 73, 70, 66, 73.
283 – Brad Faxon (US) 69, 69, 75, 70; Nick O'Hern (Australia) 72, 69, 71, 71; Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 75, 73, 67, 68; Justin Leonard (US) 70, 69, 72, 72; Ernie Els (South Africa) 68, 67, 70, 78.—Reuters
