THEIR eyes met as the Irishman walked towards the registration cabin and the American chatted with his caddy in the Mount Juliet courtyard.

TIGER WOODS has been handed a glorious opportunity to close the gap at the top of the world rankings on Vijay Singh as a result of the Fijian’s shock withdrawal last night from the American Express Championship starting at Mount Juliet on Thursday.

Vijay Singh shot a final-round three-under-par 69 to hold off a charging Stewart Cink and win the 84 Lumber Classic.

Frank Lickliter II moved to the top of the leaderboard at 19 under par late in his final round at the 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania today.