Tiger Woods is more interested in a fifth green jacket at the Masters than 11 straight victories on the PGA Tour.
At this rate, he might get both.
Woods resumed his improbable pursuit of Byron Nelson with a predictable result at the Buick Invitational on Sunday in San Diego, winning the event for the third straight year to stretch his PGA Tour winning streak to seven. That’s the second-longest streak in tour history behind Nelson in 1945, and there is little evidence anyone can stop him.
“It ain’t easy beating that guy,” said Charles Howell III, who tried before settling for second.
Woods caught up to the pack with a 3-wood from 276 yards to set up a 25-foot eagle putt on the ninth hole. He buried the hopes of his final challenger with a 9-iron to 21/2 feet on the 17th hole for birdie.
His final act was saving his par from the fringe in front of the 18th green for a two-shot victory.
It gave him a 6-under-par 66, the best score all week on the demanding South Course, site of the U.S. Open next year.
Nelson’s record often has been thought to be untouchable, which now describes the world’s No. 1 player.
“As far as how special seven is, you’re in elite company,” Woods said. “There’s only one person ahead of you. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. To be in company like with Mr. Nelson … it’s pretty special.”
This is the second time Woods has made a run at Nelson, who died in September.
Woods won six straight in 2000, a streak that Phil Mickeslon stopped at Torrey Pines. But against a cast of challengers short on experience or victories, Woods met little resistance in winning at Torrey Pines for the fifth time.
The only questions are the veracity of the streak – Woods failed to win once in Europe and twice in Asia during his run – and when he will resume his chase of Nelson’s mark.
Woods thinks his streak ended when he lost in the first round of the HSBC World Match Play Championship last September, a European tour event. The PGA Tour record book only reflects its own tournaments.
All that matters to Woods is his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 professional majors. Woods has won two majors during his PGA Tour streak, taking him to 12 for his career.
“My whole goal is to get ready for Augusta and make sure my game is peaking toward that,” he said.
Asked if he would rather have a record winning streak or another Masters victory, Woods didn’t hesitate.
“A fifth green jacket,” he said.
Woods left his season-opening event for the Dubai Desert Classic – an 18-hour flight – and said he wasn’t sure if his next PGA Tour event would be the Nissan Open at Riviera in Los Angeles that starts Feb. 15, or the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Ariz., a week later.
Woods finished at 15-under 273 for his 55th career victory.
He got some help from tour rookies Andrew Buckle and Jeff Quinney, both of whom had a share of the lead on the back nine until stumbling to double bogeys within a span of about 15 minutes.
Elsewhere
Fred Funk shot another 8-under 64 to win the Turtle Bay Championship in Hawaii by a Champions Tour-record 11 shots. He shot an event-record 23-under 193 in the first full-field event for the 50-and-over set this season. … South African star Retief Goosen made an eagle 3 on the final hole for a 3-under 69 and a one-stroke victory over Nick O’Hern at the Qatar Masters in Doha. … Argentina’s Miguel Carballo closed with a 5-under 65 for a two-stroke victory in the Nationwide Tour’s season-opening Panama Championship in Panama City, Panama.
TIGER’S STREAK
The seven consecutive PGA Tour events Tiger Woods has won:
Date, Event, Margin
1/28/07 Buick Invitational 2 shots
10/1/06 American Express 8
9/4/06 Deutsche Bank 2
8/27/06 Bridgestone Invit. Playoff
8/20/06 PGA Championship 5
8/7/06 Buick Open 3
7/23/06 British Open 2 TRACKING RYAN MOORE, MICHAEL PUTNAM
This week: PGA Tour’s Buick Invitational, Torrey Pines golf courses, San Diego.
Moore’s final-round score: 3-under-par 69.
Putnam’s final-round score: 2-under 70.
Position: The Pierce County pair finished with matching 7-under 281s, and tied for 16th behind winner Tiger Woods (15-under 273).
Recap: Grouped together for the first time since the final round of the 2004 NCAA West Regionals at Sunriver, Ore.’s Crosswater course, Moore, from Puyallup and Putnam, from Tacoma, put together two impressive rounds. Both birdied the first hole, both had it to 4-under and both posted sub-par rounds on the difficult South Course.
Earnings: Each collected $80, 600. It was Moore’s first paycheck of the season. Putnam has earned $91,208.
Next: Moore will play this week at the FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. Putnam will try to get into the event, which starts Thursday, through today’s qualifier. If not, Putnam is in the field at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Feb. 8-11, near Monterey, Calif.
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