Tiger Woods Wins AT&T National

Posted Jul 05, 2009 6:40PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)

Filed Under: PGA

Hunter Mahan started the day at the AT&T National -- the tournament Tiger Woods has hosted for three years now -- tied for 16th, six shots off the lead. And with just about every hole location qualifying as a sucker pin, nobody gave him much of a chance. Which is why it was something of a surprise when he signed for a 62, good for the top spot on the leaderboard ... right next to Tiger.

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Mahan finished his round at 4:46 PM ET as Tiger was butchering No. 11 for the fourth consecutive day. (He finished 5-over for the week on the hole.) For the next 70 minutes, Mahan kicked it in the clubhouse as Woods parred holes 12-15. And then, as CBS showed Mahan finally making his way to the practice range, Tiger drained a 20-footer on the 16th for birdie and a one-shot lead. No idea if Mahan promptly headed to the grill room for a few pops, but even if he didn't, he had to be fully aware of his fate.

On Nos. 17 and 18, Tiger did what Tiger usually does when he's in the lead on Sunday: fairways, greens, and two putts. It was Woods' first win at his own event, and his 68th PGA Tour victory. Mahan made it interesting, but the odds were against him; prior to today, Tiger had the 54-hole tournament lead 48 times in his career, and won 45 of them. Now it's 46 for 49.

Anthony Kim, the defending champion, played in the last group with Woods, but the highlight of his round came on the first hole after a birdie briefly gave him the lead. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the rough, and that, coupled with his putter abandoning him for the first time all week (Kim was a mind-blowing 48 of 50 on putts inside 10 feet during the first 54 holes), led to a Sunday 71. It was good enough for third place, but he was never in position to threaten Woods.

Tiger's AT&T victory is reminiscent of his mastery at Memorial two weeks before the U.S. Open. This time, though, we'll be talking about how Woods is primed for Turnberry, clearly the favorite. Then again, Tiger is always the favorite. He'll be going for major victory No. 15 at the Open Championship; worst-case scenario would be another top-10 finish because, well, that's how he rolls.

As for the overall event, Tiger sounded just as excited about what he was able to accomplish outside the ropes. When CBS analyst David Feherty asked if this was the vision he and his father shared for his tournament, Woods responded, "Absolutely. This is a dream [my father] and I had of having an event where we could spread the word about what we're trying to do for kids, as well as honor the military. And it's come together in three years and it's been absolutely incredible."

Latest Golf Images

US golfer Tiger Woods (L) walks down the 18th fairway with last years champion and final round co-leader Anthony Kim (R) during the final round of the AT&T National tournament on July 5, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. Woods won the tournament with a final score of -13. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US golfer Tiger Woods chips onto the 16th green during the final round of the AT&T National tournament on July 5, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. Woods won the tournament with a final score of -13. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Anthony Kim drops his club after his shot on the sixth tee during the final round of the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Tiger Woods plays his shot from the eighth tee during the final round of the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Eunjung Yi celebrates as she watches her ball on ther winning putt on the 18th hole in the final round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic golf tournament Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Sylvania, Ohio. Yi and Morgan Pressel tied at 18-under par and had to play one playoff hole for the win. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Hunter Mahan watches his fairway shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the AT&T National golf tournament at Congressional Country Club, Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Tiger Woods holds the trophy after winning in the final round of the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Tiger Woods (L) and Anthony Kim walk up the 18th fairway together during the final round of the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Tiger Woods (L) and Anthony Kim (R) play together on the fifth green during the final round of the AT&T National PGA golf tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

US golfer Tiger Woods pumps his fist after makeing a birdie on the 16th during the final round of the AT&T National tournament on July 5, 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland. Woods won the tournament with a final score of -13. AFP PHOTO / Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-05-2009 @ 7:00PM

obamaizamarxist said...

It simply is not possible to quantify the greatness of Eldrick Woods..

7-05-2009 @ 7:30PM

Domenic said...

I agree with you completely...this guy is a class act all the way especially when you compare his behavior with some of the other out-of-control "athletes" who don't make anywhere near the money Tiger has.

7-05-2009 @ 7:54PM

dblatc7474 said...

Too bad instead of appointing another dozen czars to circumvent our constitution, Barach would just appoint TIGER WOODS as EMPEROR OF THE UNIVERSE, go back to Chicago to create some more victums and let kTiger get this country moving again.

7-05-2009 @ 8:24PM

wondogwade said...

Tiger's legal name is now Tiger, he has abandoned Eldrick. Middle name remains Tont!! A very focused and class person, any derogatory comments about him are either from racists, those with envy, or their own self esteem issues. Just listen to him and watch his actions, We are priviledged to have him here with us. He is respectful, intelligent, and very aware. A true inspiration.

7-06-2009 @ 12:16AM

cjgdnight said...

Interested in which of those categories you put Jim Brown?

7-05-2009 @ 8:50PM

hookmrl said...

yea compared to the idiot basketball jackos he is class

7-05-2009 @ 9:17PM

glhint said...

hookmrl said...
yea compared to the idiot basketball jackos he is class
-------------------------------------------------
you mean all "idiot basketball jackos", right?

7-05-2009 @ 9:48PM

dxxy4u said...

Tiger Woods , the GREATEST golfer who ever lived. Before Tiger, the Golfers made the 19th hole the best place to be after a round ( Get Drunk). Tiger made the Gym the best place to be after a round (Getting In Shape). That was why golfers were not considered Athletes, they didn't train, just drank beer. Tiger changed all that, and brought REAL MONEY to the game.

7-05-2009 @ 10:53PM

coxscottc said...

Tiger Woods is an inspiration. I think about his quote all the time: "You either get better every day or you get worse." Almost as good as Ricky Bobby's:"You're either first or you're last."

7-05-2009 @ 11:12PM

elpgolfer said...

TIGER, TIGER, TIGER, TIGER....What a performance. He could have folded but he didn't. Way to go. It was fun to watch. Can't wait til the British....ha ha ha

7-05-2009 @ 11:25PM

Coprogirl said...

I think Tiger's the most talented golfer and class act EVER. I don't play golf, but Tiger the game exciting to watch, and his excellence is inspirational. He gives all his prize money to his charities. Look out, FedEx Cup. Tiger's ahead, and he's only played about half the tournaments of the other contenders.

7-05-2009 @ 11:29PM

They didn't show the award presentation on the television....did Tiger present the cup to himself :-))

7-06-2009 @ 1:50AM

rthate said...

Man, that guy just keeps right on winning and winning. Make no mistake..HE IS GOOD! I wonder what his handy-cap is? HAHAHAHA

7-06-2009 @ 2:22AM

To cjgdnight: Where do I place Jim Brown? I'd say he has a social consciousness focused on racial equality, and seems to be more angry than Tiger. I really don't see Jim Brown on the stage regularly like Tiger. Tiger's public demeanor seems to more centered, more "enlightened", more accessible, less racially focused than Jim Brown. They are of different eras, thus different perspectives. Tiger has no issues of hate that I perceive. He is financially without stress, the result of his achievements in a time of high television revenues. I perceive Jim Brown has issues of personal stress........

7-06-2009 @ 12:57PM

Thanks...was wondering because he has attacked tiger lately in the press.

You are defaulting to the self esteem issues in your first blog? Not trying to be smart... I am trying to understand Jim Brown's position a little better. I agree with your first analysis of where people would fall in the three categories.

7-06-2009 @ 3:19AM

ipsenj said...

I remember talking to a lady one day who told me that her daughter had once gone out on a date with Tiger. As you may expect. Even then, the perfect gentleman. Tiger was a class act then and continues to be so even to this day. He is an example for our young people to follow.

7-06-2009 @ 3:57AM

Patches said...

Tiger is a great champion, and one of the best who have ever played the game. But the fact remains he is being cheated out playing even better golf due to the laziness of his suspect competition. You know, the lazy ones who are happy with a top 10 every so often. Patches

7-06-2009 @ 6:39AM

holdouts2001 said...

Tiger is absolutely tops. I do not know what Jim Brown was talking about when he said Tiger does not do enough for the kids. He is the all around best. I loved it when he gave the winning ball to the wounded war vet in the wheel chair. Class act gentleman.

7-06-2009 @ 7:16AM

Bill3JoanA said...

Attention Jim Brown: Your picture has been posted in the new world dictionary. It uses you to define racist and you have now put a face on classless. Tiger doesn't do enough? Gee, I thought I read he gave his $1 million winners share to further the work of his foundation. Oh that's right, Tiger lets all people, mostly kids, reap the benefits of his work. He does not shut his doors on non blacks. Jim you need to go back to school and learn what class is. You are not capable of understanding it. Perhaps you can help out Tiger and Elin with the diaper duty.