Woods wins at Memorial with birdie-birdie finish

DUBLIN, Ohio (Reuters) - Tiger Woods came from four strokes behind to win the Memorial tournament by a shot on Sunday, sealing his 67th PGA Tour victory with a dramatic birdie-birdie finish.
Helped by one of the best driving displays of his career, the world number one rammed in a nine-footer at the 17th before hitting an exquisite approach to 14 inches at the par-four last.
He tapped in the putt for his seventh birdie of the day and a seven-under-par 65 at Muirfield Village Golf Club before removing his cap to acknowledge the roars from the crowd.
Woods won the tournament for a record fourth time with a 12-under total of 276, finishing ahead of fellow American Jim Furyk who rolled in a 22-foot birdie putt at the 18th for a 69.
"That was unbelievable," tournament host Jack Nicklaus said to Woods as he shook hands with the 14-times major champion on the edge of the 18th green.
American Jonathan Byrd, who held a two-shot lead with six holes to play, battled over the tough closing stretch to card a 72 and share third place at eight under with compatriot Mark Wilson.
Tour veteran Davis Love III was a further two strokes back after closing with a 73, level with Americans Matt Kuchar (71) and co-leader overnight Matt Bettencourt (75).
Woods, sidelined for the second half of last year while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, was delighted to win his second PGA Tour title this season in just seven starts.
"It was just about being patient," the 33-year-old told reporters after shooting the lowest round of the day.
"It was a matter of time because I was able to start practicing after rounds again, and I had only been doing that for a couple of tournaments. I knew it was coming around."
PERFECT DRIVING
Woods hit a perfect 14 of 14 fairways in Sunday's final round, arguably the best teebox performance of his career on one of the PGA Tour's toughest courses.
"The driving this week was nice," he said after starting the last round four shots off the pace. "It was coming. It was just a matter of time. I finally put it together this week."
Byrd, who had holed out from 82 yards to eagle the par-five seventh, appeared to have the tournament firmly in his grasp when he sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the 12th to lead by two.
However, he made his first mistake of the day with a three-putt bogey at the 13th.
Woods, who had birdied four of the first seven holes, conjured a magical chip-in from tangly greenside rough to eagle the par-five 11th and lie one stroke behind Byrd at 10 under. Continued...
Source: Reuters