Woods` Mighty Power to Win from Behind

It was like a drama without a scenario.

`The Emperor of Golf` Tiger Woods (USA) grabbed his third consecutive victory of the World Gold Championship NEC Invitational (total prize of $5 million) in the `blood-shedding` playoffs, which continued to the seventh hole.

In the final round at Firestone Country Club South Course (par 70, 7139 yard), Akron, Ohio, recording a 1-under-par 69, Woods dramatically tied at 12-under-par 268 with Jim Furyk (USA) who was not up to the mark with a 1-over-par 71, and then got into the playoff.

Capturing a birdie worthy of one million dollars in the seventh extra hole, Woods finished a war-like playoff to win the title. Woods earned his fifth title (29th title in his career), which is his first since the Memorial Tournament in June, and he escaped from the slump during which he has consecutively finished outside the top 10 in five tournaments. With this victory, Woods recorded 7 wins and 1 loss in playoffs.

Woods earned the total prize money of $25,989,198 for five years since his professional debut, including $1 million at the Invitational. (second place winner Furyk $500,000). Thus, he became the first golf in the world`s professional golf history who earned over `$25 million`. And he established a rare record to achieve two three-straight-wins in the same event in a season with his third consecutive win in the Memorial Tournament.

Ahn Young-Sik ysahn@donga.com