Tiger Woods fired a bogey-free six-under 66 to surge to a two-shot victory over Jim Furyk at the $1 million PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Poipu Beach, Hawaii.
It was the 10th win of the season for Woods, who has made the
event his own personal property, having lifted the title seven
times in eight starts.
Woods's vice-like grip on the 36-hole tournament appeared to
have loosened as he began the second round three shots behind
overnight leader Furyk.
The 30-year-old world number one was quickly on the charge,
however, carding birdies on the second and third holes to climb
back into contention.
While Woods continued to pile up the birdies, adding two more
to go into the turn with the lead, Furyk, Australia's Geoff Ogilvy
and Canadian Mike Weir could only watch helplessly as the world
number one raced ahead.
"I certainly hit it better than I did yesterday," said Woods.
"I putted well again. But more importantly, I got the three shot
lead that Jim had on me down to one for the first three holes.
"The conditions being that tough, I thought that was probably
the most ideal start I could have had, is to be able to pick up two
shots that fast.
"Overall, I really hit the ball crisp and clean today, which was nice."
Having squandered a three-shot lead with six holes to play at
the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan and losing to Padraig
Harrington in a playoff last weekend, Woods made sure there would
be no repeat.
After Furyk birdied the 18th to trim Woods's advantage to a
single stroke, the British Open and PGA champion immediately hit
back with a birdie at the last to seal his two-shot victory with a
total of eight-under 136.
"Only time I really felt like I pretty much had everything
under control is when Jim didn't hole his third shot on 18," Woods
said. "I figured I could three-putt from there and be okay."
Furyk, a part-time resident of Hawaii and 2003 Grand Slam
champion, signed for a one-under 71 to sit second on six-under 138.
Ogilvy and Weir both signed for two-over 74s to finish in third and
fourth.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf brings together the winners of the
year's four majors.
Woods captured two of them and Ogilvy claimed the US Open to
earn his invitation.
Phil Mickelson, winner of this year's Masters, opted not to
play, leaving two spots open which went to Furyk and Weir based on
their results at the major championships.