AKRON, Ohio - Firestone specialist Tiger Woods won his fourth consecutive PGA Tour golf title with a protracted playoff victory over fellow American Stewart Cink at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational today.
The world number one triumphed by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole where 2004 champion Cink found the front greenside bunker with his approach.
Woods had a chance of sealing the win on the previous hole but left a par putt from a similar distance an inch short. Cink ran his own par attempt there a couple of feet past the cup.
The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 270, Woods carding a two-under 68 and 2004 champion Cink closing with a 69.
New Zealand's Michael Campbell shot a one-over par 71 in the final round for a 279 total and a share of 17th place.
Having thrown the tournament wide open with an unexpected four-bogey run in Saturday's third round, Woods clinched his fifth victory at Firestone Country Club in seven starts, and the 52nd PGA Tour title of his career.
His winning streak over the last six weeks includes last month's British Open and the PGA Championship seven days ago.
American Jim Furyk, who twice held a share of the lead in a wildly fluctuating final round at Firestone, signed off with a 68 to finish alone in third place at nine under.
Woods, who covered the front nine in level-par 35, appeared to have the title firmly in his grasp after reeling off three birdies in four holes from the 10th.
After hitting a superb approach on 10, he rolled in a 35-footer at the par-three 12th and sank a 22-footer at the par-four 13th to break two strokes clear of the chasing pack.
However, he faltered with a three-putt bogey at the monster 667-yard 16th before being joined at 10 under by Cink, who birdied 16 and also 17, where he rammed in a 22-footer.
Both players parred the last to take the tournament into extra time, where the first three holes were shared with two pars followed by a bogey.
Briton Paul Casey, tied for the lead with Furyk with nine holes to play, dropped three shots after the turn for a 71 and a share of fourth at seven under.
Heavy rain delayed the final round by 90 minutes after the scheduled start had already been brought forward by four hours because of a poor weather forecast.
- REUTERS
Golf: Woods seals yet another victory in playoff
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