Golf: Woods gets lucky, Waite grabs third

ORLANDO - Tiger Woods took advantage of two enormously lucky breaks to win the $US3.5 million ($8.49 million) Bay Hill Invitational golf tournament by one stroke yesterday for his first title of 2001.

In a spectacular finish, Woods sank a curling, 15-foot birdie putt at the final hole to beat Phil Mickelson by one stroke in a showdown of the world's top two players.

And New Zealand golfer Grant Waite had a tournament to savour, finishing third on 278 after a final-round 69.

"It was ugly," said Woods, who missed half the Bay Hill fairways in a wayward display of driving. "I didn't play well. I didn't know where the ball was going but I made some wonderful saves and got some wonderful breaks coming down the stretch.

"This is what you need to happen in order to win. I feel great."

Woods shot a final round of 69 to finish at 15-under-par on 273 and win Arnold Palmer's event for the second successive year. Mickelson had the day's best round, a bogey-free 66, but it was not quite enough as he finished second on 274.

Woods received his good fortune on the 16th and 18th holes. At the par-five 16th, his drive came within five feet of going out of bounds, but he drew a good lie and was able to get to the green with a seven-iron en route to a birdie.

Then, at the par-four 18th, he hit another pulled drive which looked in danger of hurtling out of bounds, until it hit a spectator in the neck. A female spectator then picked up the ball, before dropping it back on to the ground, but under the rules, Woods was required to take a free drop.

The world No 1 found another great lie, and with a good angle to the pin, took aim with a five-iron and fashioned a fine shot to within 15 feet.

The winning putt broke sharply left to right, but he read it perfectly and rolled his ball home to end what, for Woods, had been considered a title drought - six starts without a victory.

"I didn't play well but I hung in there," he said.

Woods, winner of three of last year's major titles, collected $US630,000 for his 25th career victory on the United States PGA Tour, jumping to sixth on this year's money list.

Waite's third place was his best finish on the tour this season. He produced a flawless final round to finish one shot ahead of four players, including Australian Greg Norman.

The Florida-based Waite, who started the final round five shots from the lead, was especially delighted with his effort to finish one place behind players occupying the top two rungs on the world rankings.

"This is a very, very good result for me and it's very encouraging to have finished so high in a world class field," Waite said. "Tiger and Phil are the top two golfers in the world at the moment and to be the next best, ahead of so many great players playing this week, is a huge boost in confidence.

"It all gets back to last year when I finished second twice in Canada, including once behind Tiger, because since then I've just gained in confidence so much."

He collected $US238,000 ($577,950) to jump to 32nd spot on the tour money list with prizemoney this year of $US348,071.

Waite headed home to Orlando and and then a two-hour trip north to Ponte Vedre, where he will begin preparations for the Players' Championship starting on Friday. Compatriot Frank Nobilo earned his sixth pay-cheque in seven starts this season despite a disappointing one-over 73 yesterday. Nobilo finished 23rd equal on four-under 284 to earn $US28,788 and lift him to 53rd on the money list with winnings of $US237,081.

- NZPA