Historic win for Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods shot a final round 67 to win the Memorial Tournament by two shots and match Jack Nicklaus’ career tally of 73 PGA Tour wins.

Woods made three birdies in the last four holes to finish two shots clear of South African Rory Sabbatini and Argentinian Andres Romero.

Woods began the day four shots behind leader Spencer Levin but a brilliant chip-in at the 16th helped him to nine-under par total.

The tournament is hosted by Jack Nicklaus and Woods has now equalled Nicklaus’ total of 73 Tour victories, the second-most all-time. He has also now won the Memorial five times.

The American got off to a great start, holing from eight feet for a birdie at the second and then picking up further shots at the fifth, sixth and seventh to close right up on Levin.

He gave one back at the eighth and made another bogey at 10 while Levin, who had turned in 35 to retain his advantage, dropped four shots in four holes from the 10th to fall back.

That let in South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini, who birdied 11 and 12 to reach one-under for the day and claim the lead.

Woods pulled within one when he picked up a shot at the par-five 15th but then looked in trouble when he went over the green at the par-three 16th.

However, he was soon pumping his fist like it was old times after bringing the crowd to their feet with an incredible chip-in from the rough, and he led by one when Sabbatini bogeyed the same hole.

Woods went on to make a solid par at 17 and then sealed his victory in the grand manner, hitting an imperious iron to eight-feet at 18 and rolling in the putt for his third birdie in four holes.

Sabbatini (72) parred the last to share second with Romero, who raced up the leaderboard on the final day by matching Woods’ 67.

England’s Justin Rose finished eighth after a final round of 69, while Greg Owen was a shot further back after a fine round of 67 and Luke Donald was 12th having closed with a 68.