Tiger Woods emerged from the fog-delayed US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines victorious, winning by four-shots to claim his seventh event title and 75th overall tour win.
Returning on Monday to play his final 11 holes, Woods had a few stumbles but finished off an even-par final round 72 to be 14-under-par for the week, well in front of defending champion Brandt Snedeker (69) and Josh Teater (69) who finished at 10-under par.
Americans Jimmy Walker (71) and Nick Watney (71) shared fourth at nine-under-par.
With play going along at a glacial pace Woods seemed unable to keep full focus but still won easily.
“It got a little ugly towards the end and I started to lose my patience a little with the slow play and I lost my focus there a little bit but I buckled down and was able to get the win,” Woods said.
Australians Aaron Baddeley (69) and Jason Day (66), who made the cut on the number, closed with strong finishes to finish tied sixth and ninth respectively, Baddeley at eight-under and Day seven-under.
Woods started the delayed final round with a six shot buffer and extended to as many as eight shots after a birdie on the 13th but bogeys on 14 and 17 and a double bogey on the 15th tempered talks of complete domination.
But his win could be a sign of bigger things to come as seven of the 37-year-old’s 14 majors have come in years he kick-started his season with a win at Torrey Pines.
His 75 career wins moves him a step closer to Sam Snead’s record 82 wins on the US Tour.
Baddeley resumed his final round by making a lengthy eagle putt and while he followed with back-to-back bogeys the Victorian nailed three birdies from his final six holes to push to a high finish.
“It was great to finish this way,” Baddeley said. “This is a course where a good score goes a long way and that’s the type of golf I enjoy.”
Day’s final round 66 included six birdies and an eagle with just two bogeys and was the best of the field, giving him huge momentum after a top 10 finish in his first start of the year.
“At the start of the week I was a bit rusty but as the week went on I definitely felt better which was nice,” Day said.
“Overall it’s a pretty good week to start the year with a top 10 when not at my best.”
John Senden (-4) and Scott Gardiner (+3) rounded out the Australian contingent.
