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THOUSAND OAKS - Australia's Geoff Ogilvy is backing Tiger Woods to win all four majors in a year after playing second fiddle to the world No 1 at the Target World Challenge yesterday.
US Open champion Ogilvy led by a stroke going into the final round at Sherwood Country Club, but had to settle for the runner-up spot after Woods closed with a six-under 66.
"He always seems to play well under expectation," Ogilvy said after shooting a 71 to finish at 12-under 276.
"I think Tiger should win all four majors in a year.
"It was only 10 years ago people were thinking it was absolutely far-fetched to win two, now you've got him winning four."
Woods, a 12-times major winner, completed the "Tiger Slam" by clinching his second Masters crown in 2001, becoming the first player to hold all four professional major titles at the same time.
"When he did it in 2000 and 2001, he was playing some pretty decent golf," Ogilvy added.
"I don't think he's playing as good as he was then now."
But the Australian believes next year's major venues should suit the game's leading player.
"Augusta [venue for the Masters] obviously sets up well," he said.
"He's a great scrambler.
"And Carnoustie, he did all right last time in that fiasco."
Woods tied for seventh when a toughened-up Carnoustie last hosted the British Open in 1999.
"He's the best player in the world and he's going to have a chance every week he tees it up," Ogilvy said.
"But a lot of the right things have to happen for him to win all four."
One stroke clear of the field before yesterday's final round at Sherwood Country Club, Ogilvy was well aware of the challenge he faced.
"In my mind, I knew I was going to have to shoot five or six under to win," he said.
"In hindsight, I would have had to shoot five under for a playoff."
Ogilvy ended up four shots behind the triumphant Woods after rattling up four birdies and three bogeys in near-perfect scoring conditions.
"You always figure Tiger's going to play well because he doesn't have many bad Sundays," he said.
"Maybe that's why you never play well when he's there because you try too hard to shoot a score.
"It was kind of scratchy today and I wasn't hitting it as good as yesterday. On the back nine, I played okay and had my chances.
"Second is definitely better than third but I would have liked to get closer."
- REUTERS
