Tiger Woods won the Buick Open but, careful … don’t mention the major.
It was his fourth title of the season after coming back from eight months off to recuperate from knee surgery.
Naturally, four PGA Tour titles after such a long lay-off is an amazing record – something any pro worth his endorsements would treasure.
Though he has impressed in his rare appearances on the Tour, Woods has yet to win a major … oops! Remember, don’t mention the major. I did, but I think I got away with it. (Thanks to John Cleese for that legendary line).
What major is it we should not mention, you ask? Well, there seems to be no getting away from it … the last major of the season – the US PGA Championship.
And why should we not mention it? The reason is that two weeks before each of this year’s three majors so far, Woods had won a tournament.
Then he goes into the majors – US Masters, US Open and British Open – as favourite but fails to win, even missing the cut at the Open.
The Buick also happens to be two weeks before a major, so best not mention it … the major, that is.
He shot 69 on the final day for a total of 20-undrer 268 and a three-shot victory over Roland Thatcher (64), Greg Chalmers (68) and John Senden (70).
Previously this season, Woods had taken the week before a major off. This time, however, he is planning to play right through. He has signed up for the World Golf Championship – Bridgestone Invitational before tackling the Hazeltine course for the US PGA Championship.
His victory at the Buick – the last event because the main sponsor is pulling out – was his 69th on the Tour. He is third behind Sam Snead, who has 82 and Jack Nicklaus’ 73.
Meanwhile, Britain were able to celebrate their own home-grown major winner as Scottish mother of two Catriona Matthew won the Women’s British Open at Lytham St Annes.
The 39-year-old shot 73 on the final day for a total of three-under-par 285 and a three-stroke victory over Karrie Webb.
Her victory came only 11 weeks after she gave birth to her second daughter, Sophie. She said on the LPGA Tour website:
“Coming up the last hole was a feeling I don’t think I’ve ever had before. Just a tear in my eye trying to hold myself together for the last two putts. It’s just it really has not sunk in yet.â€
Tied for third were Korean Han Hee-won, Paula Creamer, Ai Miyazato, of Japan and Christina Kim. They were on 289, four strokes adrift of Matthew.
Staying east of the Atlantic, Sweden’s Oskar Henningsson won his first title on the European Tour after taking the Moravia Silesia Open in the Czech Republic.
The 23-year-old is on his debut season on the Tour after earning his place through Qualifying School and shot a final round of 67 for a total of 13-under-par 275.
That was two strokes better than the English pair of Sam Little and Steve Webster. Little closed with 70 for his 277 while Webster carded 72 on the final day.
I’m really excited to watch the PGA Championship next week. I think it’s going to be an awesome major. Obviously a little sad that it’s the last one of the year, but the fact that Tiger missed the cut at the British Open, I’d have to imagine that he really is looking to get back after it for this one. Anyone else excited for this one?