Tiger Woods returned to the No.1 position in the world rankings yesterday and, ominously for his rivals, did so without even remotely being at his best.
Fighting a pull-hook throughout the final round - he even missed a green with a pitching wedge because of the recurring problem - the 22-year-old American nevertheless dug deep and scrambled to a one-shot victory over Jay-Don Blake in the BellSouth Classic at Duluth, Georgia.
It was his first win on home soil for 10 months since the Western Open last season, the seventh of his astonishing career, and one which silenced growing criticism over his so-called drought.
Woods, who had created a record 63 in the third round, was three shots clear over Blake going into the last round, and had been expected to win at will on the TPC Sugarloaf course designed by Greg Norman.
Instead he carded three early bogeys to allow his challengers to close within one shot, and only his consistent accuracy on and around the greens prevented the title being snatched from his grasp.
However, as he pointed out yesterday after his first PGA Tour win this year had alleviated the pressure: ''The only reason I won was because I got some lucky breaks. I did not hit the ball well at all (he only hit 10 greens in regulation compared to 14 by Blake). My timing was out and I just had to hang in. It was a hard fight. My short game and my mental toughness saved me.
''Shooting a 62 to win a tournament is not as satisfying as grinding it out and winning without your A game. This week I got some lucky breaks. That happened last year but not this year.''
Despite his erratic game Woods, making his first appearance since the US Masters three weeks ago, nevertheless kept the enormous galleries entertained.
At the tenth hole, a rain-sodden par 5 measuring over 600 yards, he ripped a No.2-iron 278 yards to make birdie and take command of the tournament.
At the next, a 196yd par 3, he pulled an No.8-iron into rough on a bank above the green, then again displayed his powers of recovery. Although his ball was caked in mud, he still was able to finesse a sand iron to four feet and save par.
Remarkably, later down the closing stretch, he still had the ability to break off half-way through his downswing when cheers arose from an adjoining hole.
Interestingly, Woods has now prevailed at three TPC venues where length is normally a significant advantage. Certainly Blake, who has one Tour win to his credit, was no match for him in that department, but still did not have a bogey in 72 holes.
Woods' winner's cheque takes him through the million-dollar mark domestically this year, although he also captured the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket in January. He goes on to defend his title at the Byron Nelson Classic, Texas, this week.
Ernie Els has now been deposed as the world's No.1 and the South African's response will be worth the watching.
US amateur champion Matt Kuchar, 20, whose performance and smile illuminated Augusta, finished tied for thirty-fifth place at four under par. At the Turespana Masters, the teenage Spanish prodigy Sergio Garcia tied for twenty-sixth at five over. There is no doubt that the next generation is already taking shape.
qNEIL Fairbairn (Eyemouth) won the Border boys golf championship at Jedburgh with rounds of 74 and 77 for a total of 151. He had a stroke to spare from runner-up Scott McNeil (Minto), with Gary Fox (Peebles) and Brian Graham (Hirsel) joint third on 155. Leading totals:
151 - N Fairbairn (Eyemouth) 74 77.
152 - S McNeil (Minto) 76 76.
155 - G Fox (Peebles) 77, 78; B Graham (Hirsel) 75, 80.
qThe latest winner on the European tour is a doubtful starter for this week's Benson and Hedges International Open at The Oxfordshire.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was consulting a doctor yesterday about the kidney stone trouble that he feared might force him out of the Turespana Masters in Majorca at the weekend.
Nine of the victorious Ryder Cup side are at The Oxfordshire - the only three missing being the US-based pair Nick Faldo and Jesper Parnevik and Spain's Ignacio Garrido. South African and US Open champion Ernie Els is crossing the Atlantic to play at Wentworth.
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