Pebble Beach claimed by Woods in shocking style

Associated Press

PEBBLE BEACH - With an astonishing comeback to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Tiger Woods on Monday moved a step closer to Byron Nelson's "untouchable" record of 11 straight victories.

Seven strokes behind with seven holes to play, Woods electrified an otherwise gray afternoon on the Monterey Peninsula by holing a 97-yard wedge for eagle on the 15th and making birdies on two of the last three holes for his sixth straight PGA Tour victory.

Woods became the first player since Ben Hogan in 1948 to win six straight tour events and took an unbelievable leap closer to Nelson's record, set in 1945.

It was a command performance, filled with spectacular shots that have defined Woods' young but remarkable career. It ended with Woods watching from the 18th green as Matt Gogel missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff.

Woods closed with an 8-under 64, the lowest final round by a champion in the 53-year history of Pebble Beach. He finished at 15-under 273 and earned $720,000.

"I figured if I birdied the last four holes, I might have a chance,'' Woods said.

Gogel, the 28-year-old tour rookie, made birdie on five of the first seven holes to seemingly turn the final round into a rout.

Instead, he turned in a shocking collapse - a 40 on the back nine - that will only be forgotten because of a miraculous comeback by a player who never ceases to amaze.

So shaken by his failed birdie putt, Gogel missed a 3-footer for par on the 18th and wound up in a tie for second at 13-under 275 with Vijay Singh. Gogel closed with a 71, while Singh had a 70.

"I said it yesterday, he's going to be there at the end," said Notah Begay, an ex-teammate at Stanford who finished three behind. "It adds to the whole mystique of Tiger."

It was the 17th career PGA Tour victory for the 24-year-old Woods. Among active players not on the Senior Tour, only Ben Crenshaw (19) and Greg Norman (18) have won more.

What Woods has proved during his PGA Tour winning streak - even as far back as his three straight U.S. Amateur titles - is that he can never be counted out until he's no longer on the golf course.

Should Woods continue to win, he would surpass Nelson at the tournament where the Woods legend took root - the Masters.

Only Woods can produce such dramatics these days. After an impressive round, he clenched his fist after his final birdie, as if he knew that would be enough.

AP PHOTO

Tiger Woods pumps his fist in celebration of a nearly miraculous comeback victory. After a rocky start, Woods went seven-under in the final day of competition at Pebble Beach to win his seventeenth career tournament and sixth in a row.