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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, July 6, 2009

Host Tiger wins by one stroke


By DOUG FERGUSON
Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Tiger Woods

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BETHESDA, Md. — Even after 68 victories, Tiger Woods never had a finish quite like yesterday at the AT&T National.

It had nothing to do with the golf, which was all too familiar.

Challenged by Hunter Mahan's record-tying 62 at Congressional, Woods plotted his way along the back nine and delivered the decisive birdie with a 20-foot putt on the 16th green, closing with a 3-under 67 for a one-shot victory.

The trophy presentation was unlike any other.

"I've always wanted to do this, so bear with me," Woods said, cradling the silver trophy in the shape of the Capitol. Then, the tournament host interviewed the tournament champion.

In this case, it was the same guy.

"So Tiger, how did you play today?" Woods said in a mock Q&A as thousands of fans broke into laughter.

This is what Woods meant earlier in the week by wanting to be a "greedy host" at Congressional.

It was his tournament, and his show.

With three birdies in a five-hole stretch, Woods surged past Anthony Kim in a high-charged final pairing. Then came a 62 from Mahan, tying the course record at Congressional that Kim had set Thursday. With some 40,000 fans waiting to see how the final hour would unfold, Woods rolled in a 20-foot birdie and walked stoically to the cup, nodding his head.

He closed with routine pars to finish at 13-under 267 for his third victory this year. It was meaningful because it was his own tournament. Inside the ropes, however, it felt like any other that Woods was trying to win.

"You go out there with the same intensity," he said.

The 68th win of his PGA Tour career moved him to the top of the money list and FedEx Cup standings for the first time this year.

Mahan made six birdies on the back nine for a 62, the final birdie giving him a share of the lead. He had to wait more than an hour to see if it would hold.

Woods missed a 10-foot putt on the 14th and Mahan said he jokingly cheered in a light moment.

But he knew better.

"I mean, he's pretty good," Mahan said. "He knows how to play this game better than anybody."

Kim shot a 71 to finish alone in third, four shots behind.

"I had a lot of fun," Kim said. "I know I'll be knocking on the door again. It's only a matter of time. I learned if you have a birdie putt, you better make it."