Furyk ends win drought, taking Tiger's tournament
- Source: Global Times
- [22:50 December 07 2009]
- Comments
Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk rolled in a birdie putt at the final hole to win the Chevron World Challenge by one shot from Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell in Thousand Oaks Monday.
Furyk, dressed in the red so often sported by tournament host Tiger Woods on Sundays, didn't get a handshake from the world No.1, who didn't attend this year, citing injuries received in a car crash November 28.
Despite his absence, Woods has cast a long shadow in this tournament, as scandal continued to swirl around the 14-time major champion over alleged marital infidelity.
Furyk, however, was happy to collect his first victory since the 2007 Canadian Open, firing a final round 67 at Sherwood Country Club for a 13-under total of 275.
Furyk said he was relieved that he didn't receive the expected barrage of questions about Woods all week.
"He and his wife are friends of mine," Furyk said. "As friends, you want to support them and wish them the best. They need the support of their friends, and I know that people are thinking about them."
McDowell, who was a last-minute replacement for Woods in the 18-man field, carded a 70 for 276.
He birdied the last for sole possession of second place, and McDowell's runner-up finish moved him from 55th in the world rankings to 38th – with the top 50 in the final year-end rankings booking a spot in next year's Masters.
Furyk claimed a first prize of $1.35 million in a tournament that benefits Woods's charitable foundation.
Furyk, 39, started the day two shots off the lead. He picked up one shot on the front nine and took a one-stroke lead at 10-under with a birdie at 10.
He birdied the 11th and 13th, but missed the green en route to a bogey at 14. A long eagle at-tempt at 16 lipped out, but he tapped in for birdie.
At 17 he was in a bunker left of the green. He played it safe coming out, but made a 35-footer for a par.
At 18, Furyk landed his nine-iron approach five feet from the pin.
Agencies
