TULSA (Oklahoma), Aug 13: Tiger Woods survived a few anxious moments on the back nine to clinch his fourth US PGA Championship and 13th major title with a two-shot victory on Sunday.

Three strokes clear going into the final round, the world number one fired a one-under-par 69 for an eight-under total of 272, finishing ahead of fellow American Woody Austin (67) at a sun-baked Southern Hills Country Club.

South African Ernie Els birdied four of the first 10 holes on his way to a six-birdie 66 and third place at five under.

Woods, who claimed his 59th PGA Tour title, became only the third player to win at least four PGA Championships. Fellow Americans Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen won five apiece.

Overwhelming favourite at the start of another stifling day, Woods briefly stretched his lead to five when he rolled in a curling 30-footer from the fringe at the par-three eighth.

As the ball dropped into the hole, he pumped his fist in celebration.

However, the 31-year-old then bogeyed the uphill ninth to reach the turn in one-under 34 and also faltered at the par-three 14th, where his par putt from five feet lipped out.

At that point, his lead had been trimmed to one with Austin and Els his closest challengers.

With typical timing, though, Woods hit back with a birdie at the par-four 15th, calmly rolling in a 12-footer to restore his two-stroke cushion. He safely parred the last three holes to ensure he ended another year with at least one major title.

After his ball dropped into the cup, the game's leading player removed his cap and lifted both arms into the air to acknowledge the roars from the crowd packed around the green.

Completed final-round scores:

272 – Tiger Woods (US) 71, 63, 69, 69.

274 – Woody Austin (US) 68, 70, 69, 67.

275 – Ernie Els (South Africa) 72, 68, 69, 66.

279 – Arron Oberholser (US) 68, 72, 70, 69; John Senden (Australia) 69, 70, 79, 71.

280 – Simon Dyson (Britain) 73, 71, 72, 64; Trevor Immelman (South Africa) 75, 70, 66, 69; Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) 69, 68, 74, 69.

281 – Scott Verplank (US) 70, 66, 74, 71; Kevin Sutherland (US) 73, 69, 68, 71; Boo Weekley (US) 76, 69, 65, 71.

282 – Anders Hansen (Denmark) 71, 71, 71, 69; Stuart Appleby (Australia) 73, 68, 72, 69; Justin Rose (Britain) 70, 73, 70, 69; Adam Scott (Australia) 72, 68, 70, 72; K.J. Choi (South Korea) 71, 71, 68, 72; Stephen Ames (Canada) 68, 69, 69, 76.

284 – Pat Perez (US) 70, 69, 77, 68; Hunter Mahan (US) 71, 73, 72, 68; Joe Durant (US)

71, 73, 70, 70, Brandt Snedeker (US) 74, 71, 69, 70; Ken Duke (US) 73, 71, 69, 71.

285 – Retief Goosen (South Africa) 70, 71, 74, 70; Kenny Perry (US) 72, 72, 71, 70; Heath Slocum (US 72, 70, 72, 71; Camilo Villegas (Colombia) 69, 71, 74, 71; Ian Poulter (Britain) 71, 73, 70, 71; Steve Stricker (US) 77, 68, 69, 71; Steve Flesch (US) 72, 73, 68, 72; Peter Hanson (Sweden) 72, 71, 69, 73; Nathan Green (Australia) 75, 68, 67, 75.

286 – Lee Westwood (Britain) 69, 74, 75, 68; Phil Mickelson (US) 73, 69, 75, 69; Bart Bryant (US) 74, 70, 72, 70; Brett Wetterich (US) 74, 71, 70, 71; Stewart Cink (US) 72, 70, 72, 72; Shaun Micheel (US) 73, 71, 70, 72; John Daly (US) 67, 73, 73, 73; Luke Donald (Britain) 72, 71, 70, 73.287 – Paul Casey (Britain) 72, 70, 74, 71; Richard Green (Australia) 72, 73, 70, 72.

288 – Niclas Fasth (Sweden) 71, 68, 79, 70; Colin Montgomerie (Britain) 72, 73, 73, 70; Charles Howell III (US) 75, 70, 72, 71; David Toms (US) 71, 74, 71, 72; Rod Pampling (Australia) 70, 74, 72, 72; Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 69, 73, 72, 74; Darren Clarke (Britain) 77, 66, 71, 74; Sean O'Hair (US) 70, 72, 70, 76.

289 – Brian Bateman (US) 71, 74, 76, 68; Frank Lickliter II (US) 70, 75, 75, 69; Lucas Glover (US) 70, 75, 74, 70; Anthony Kim (US) 73, 72, 71, 73; Nick O'Hern (Australia) 72, 72, 72, 73; Shingo Katayama (Japan) 76, 67, 72, 74; Bob Tway (US) 71, 72, 71, 75.290 – Robert Karlsson (Sweden) 73, 71, 75, 71; Chad Campbell (US) 77, 68, 73, 72; Will MacKenzie (US) 72, 70, 74, 74.

291 – Billy Mayfair (US) 76, 69, 75, 71; Paul McGinley (Ireland) 74, 66, 76, 75.

293 – Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) 73, 71, 76, 73; Brett Quigley (US) 76, 67, 73, 77; Graeme Storm (Britain) 65, 76, 74, 78; Corey Pavin (US) 74, 68, 72, 79.

294 – Todd Hamilton (US) 73, 72, 74, 75; Troy Matteson (US) 72, 69, 73, 80; Tim Herron (US) 75, 68, 71, 80.

296 – Mike Small (US) 73, 70, 78, 75; Tom Lehman (US) 73, 71, 74, 78.297 – Ryan Benzel (US) 71, 72, 80, 74.—Reuters