History shows victory at Torrey Pines has set Tiger Woods up for a bumper season.
Woods emerged from the fog-delayed US PGA event 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.
Australians Aaron Baddeley (69) and Jason Day (66), closed with strong finishes to tie for sixth and ninth respectively, Baddeley at eight-under and Day seven-under.
When asked if Woods was ‘back’ Day had no hesitation: “He never left,” he said.
“He’s too good of a golfer to say that. Sure he had a lean few years but he was good again last year and it looks like he is back to dominating golf again.”
The victory could certainly 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.
Woods also grabbed 38 of his 75 career tour wins in the years he started with a win at the iconic coastal course.
His 75 career wins also moves him a step closer to Sam Snead’s record 82 wins on the US Tour.
“I’m excited about this year,” Woods said.
“I’m excited about what I was able to do last year and win three times coming from where I came from.
“I didn’t know of those stats. But does it feel good? Yes. Does it give me confidence? Absolutely.
“I’m excited about what I’m doing with Sean (Foley) and some of the things that I’ve built.
“My short game was back to how I know it can be. This is a nice way to start the year.”
Woods was trying not to get caught in the hype, knowing it’s now been almost five years since his last major win in 2008, also at Torrey Pines, in the US Open. “(My expectations) are the same,” he said.
“To go out there and win every tournament I play in. That hasn’t changed.”
The former world No.1 also has the new golf king Rory McIlroy now in his sights.
“That happens through a product of winning golf tournaments,” Woods said.
“That’s how I got there in the first place. That’s how he got there.
“It’s winning golf tournaments, being consistent. Your bad weeks are going to be top 10s, and when you win, you win.
“And you’ve got to be consistently winning and in order for me to get back there, that’s what I have to do, and this is a nice start.” John Senden (-4, T27) and Scott Gardiner (+3, T73) rounded out the Australian contingent.