Cink: Tiger playing best golf of career

STEWART CINK has claimed that Tiger Woods is playing the best golf of his career after his fellow American hit 14 birdies in 29 holes to win the Accenture World Match Play Championship.

Woods posted the largest margin of victory in the event’s decider, an 8 and 7 hammering of Cink at Dove Mountain.

He now has seven victories in his past eight official starts and Woods confirmed his intent to win every tournament he plays this year.

Woods worked on his short game during the off season and Cink admitted he was all but reduced to the role of admiring fan during the $8 million event.

“He’s just always in control – he gets mad but he never loses his composure,” Cink said. “Tiger always stays very poised and he doesn’t often throw away a shot. He’s a lot better now than he’s ever been at that. He has really learned how to stay within himself. He regulates his heartbeat. I think we ought to slice him open and see what’s inside; maybe nuts and bolts.”

Woods won nine times on the United States PGA Tour in 2000, which a 15-stroke victory at the US Open and an eight-stroke canter at the Open at St Andrews, but Cink claimed his current form is as good as, if not better, than during that halcyon year.

“It’s hard to say that right now is not as good as that was,” Cink added. “You just don’t see very much sloppiness out there. Just about any stat you pull up says that he’s the best that ever played.”

Woods, 32, should be entering the prime of his career, and has won 13 majors and 63 US PGA Tour events to leave him fourth on the all-time list behind Sam Snead (82), Jack Nicklaus (73) and Ben Hogan (64)

Those 63 victories include 15 World Golf Championship titles in 26 starts and Woods has made no secret that he is after the Grand Slam of all four majors this year.

“This is certainly the best stretch I think I’ve ever played,” Woods said. “I just have a better understanding of how to play the game, how to fix my game, and have a lot more shots than I’ve ever had.”