THOUSAND OAKS: US Open champion Graeme McDowell delivered two stunning putts to punctuate his dream season with a playoff triumph over Tiger Woods on Sunday at the World Challenge. Northern Ireland’s McDowell denied the 14-time major champion a lone tournament title in a 2010 season marked by personal turmoil off the course and struggles with a swing change on the course.
Woods, who had let slip a four-shot lead, appeared poised to seize the victory at the 72nd hole when he put his approach shot three feet from the pin.
But McDowell drained his own 20-footer for birdie to send the unofficial event hosted by Woods to a playoff. Returning to the par-four 18th for the playoff, McDowell then made another 20-footer for birdie while Woods just missed his own 15-footer.
McDowell’s triumph left Woods without a victory since the 2009 Australian Masters. McDowell carded a three-under 69 for 272 while Woods shot a two-over 73. England’s Paul Casey was third in the 18-man field after a 69 for 276. The defeat marked the first time in his professional career that Woods lost a tournament when he led by three or more shots after 54 holes.
Despite the defeat, Woods said he was encouraged by his week and proud of his battling final round.
Woods got off to a stuttering start, three-putting two of the first three holes. McDowell seized a two-shot lead at the par-five 13th, as he birdied and Woods took double-bogey.
Woods hadn’t trailed all week until that three-shot swing at 13, where he was left off the tee and had to punch out into the fairway. His approach went through the green, and his chip back went through the green. From there he left himself a seven-footer and missed for a double-bogey.
The fact that he could regroup and challenge for the victory at the end was a source of pride for Woods, who prior to this week had topped a leaderboard just once this year, sharing the lead after the first round of The Barclays.
