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SAN DIEGO - Tiger Woods carved out another slice of golfing history with a two-shot victory at the Buick Invitational yesterday, his seventh consecutive title on the PGA Tour and the 55th of his career.
Only Byron Nelson, with a run of 11 victories in 1945, has a superior winning streak on the world's biggest circuit.
Two strokes off the pace at the start of the day, Woods eagled the par-five ninth on his way to a six-under 66 and a fifth triumph in 10 starts at Torrey Pines.
The American world No 1 also rattled up five birdies and one bogey to finish on 15-under 273, one ahead of compatriot Charles Howell III (68).
Tour rookie Brandt Snedeker, surprise leader for the first three rounds, birdied the last for a 71 and third place at 12 under.
Four players held at least a share of the lead on the last day before the tournament was effectively decided over 10 gripping minutes midway through the back nine.
Australian rookie Andrew Buckle, two ahead at 15 under, fell back with a double-bogey at the 12th where he missed the fairway to the right off the tee and overshot the green with his third shot.
Jeff Quinney, tied for the lead with Buckle and Woods at 13 under, ran up a double-bogey six on 14 after finding a bunker with his approach.
Woods, meanwhile, was sizing up a 19m putt for eagle at the par-five 13th. He very nearly made the putt but the birdie took him to 14-under, and into the outright lead for the first time.
Winning streaks
11 wins: Byron Nelson, 1945 (Miami Four Ball, Charlotte Open, Greensboro Open, Durham Open, Atlanta Open, Montreal Open, Philadelphia Inquirer Invitational, Chicago Victory National Open, PGA Championship, Tam O'Shanter Open, Canadian Open).
7 wins: Tiger Woods, 2006-2007 (British Open, Buick Open, PGA Championship, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank Championship, WGC-American Express Championship, Buick Invitational).
6 wins: Ben Hogan, 1948 (US Open, Inverness Round Robin, Motor City Open, Reading Open, Western Open, Denver Open Invitational); Tiger Woods, 1999-2000 (WGC-NEC Invitational, Walt Disney Classic, Tour Championship, WGC-American Express Championship, Mercedes Championships, Pebble Beach National Pro-Am).
4 wins: Byron Nelson, 1945-1946 (Seattle Open, Glen Garden Invitational, Los Angeles Open, San Francisco Open); Jack Burke junior, 1952 (Texas Open, Houston Open, Baton Rouge Open, St Petersburg Open); Ben Hogan, 1953 (Masters, Pan American, Colonial, US Open).
- REUTERS
