Woods revises the script
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
July 6, 2009
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| Tiger Woods held off a late surge from Hunter Mahan to win the AT&T National Sunday at Congressional Country Club. (Getty Images) |
Host edges Mahan to win AT&T National
Battling his heir apparent, Anthony Kim, in the final twosome, tournament host Tiger Woods couldn't have conjured up a better story line for his third AT&T National. When Hunter Mahan inserted himself into the script, Woods re-wrote the ending.
Rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole, Woods defeated Mahan by a stroke to win at Congressional Country Club. Shooting a 3-under-par 67 Sunday, Woods (64-66-70-67 -- 267) finished 13-under to hold off the onrushing Mahan, who matched the course record with a final-round 62. In winning his tournament for the first time, Woods captured a first-place check of $1.08 million.
"It was a long week, but I got the 'W,'" said Woods. "I felt starting out today, looking at the pin locations, I felt like if I shot something under par, it would be good enough. But it wouldn't have been."
While most of the Sunday crowd of 43,936 was focused on a riveting match-play duel between Woods and defending champion Kim, Mahan was quietly making his way up the leader board after starting the day tied for 16th place, six shots back.
Mahan caught fire on the back nine, making six birdies and making Woods sweat.
"I was so far back I needed to shoot a 62, like I did, just to have a chance," said Mahan. "I feel more comfortable on Sundays than I do on Thursdays. That's just kind of the way I feel."
When Mahan made birdie putts of 19 and 15 feet on the final two holes, he moved to 12-under, tying Woods, who had made a bogey on his nemesis hole, No. 11, where he hit his drive into a hazard. For the week, Woods played the 489-yard par 4 at 5-over-par.
"I found a way to make 5 or worse four different ways," said Woods of the 11th hole. "Takes a lot of talent to make 5 or worse four different ways. The funny thing is, I didn't feel bad over any tee shot."
But No. 11 would be Woods' final hiccup. At No. 12 and No. 13, Woods saved par after hitting irons short of the green. After routine pars on the next two holes, Woods won it on No. 16. After a poor chip shot left him 20 feet short, Woods drained the putt, one of just 27 for him the final round.
"If I don't make that putt, then the last two holes, you can make bogey and lose the golf tournament, so it was an important putt to make," said Woods.
From there, Woods remained steady, hitting to the middle of the fairway and the middle of the green on the final two holes on his way to tap-in pars.
The victory, his third this year, completed a rare triple in invitational events, He also won Jack Nicklaus' Memorial and Arnold Palmer's tournament at Bay Hill.
Woods had fond memories of winning the Byron Nelson Invitational and shaking the hand of the Texas legend.
"Same thing with Arnold and Jack," said Woods of the post-victory handshake. "It was great shaking my hand today."
Kim faded because of his balky driver. He hit only 5 of 14 greens and failed to make a run at Woods after making a birdie on the first hole and taking the lead. Woods consoled Kim as they stood in the 18th fairway.
"I just said that I enjoyed it and there will be many more to come," said Woods. "Just keep working hard and we'll do this for many more years."
And hopefully, for Washington-area golf fans, they'll do it someday again at Congressional.
