Tiger times run to perfection

Tiger Woods shot a four-under-par 68 and overtook Tom Lehman on the 17th hole to win the Buick Invitational by three strokes in California.

In an event delayed several times due to fog, Woods began the final round two shots behind co-leaders Lehman and England’s Luke Donald.

He won here two years ago but had not won a stroke play event since the American Express Championship in October 2003.

Lehman, whose last victory came at the 2000 Phoenix Open, stayed close by hitting 10 consecutive fairways.

But his approach shot on 17 came up short and landed in the bunker.

After his sand save hit the pin and bounced 40 feet past, his par putt was a foot short.

Woods hit his approach shot within 20 feet and tapped in for par after he ran his birdie attempt a few feet past the cup.

He birdied the 18th for a four-round total of 16-under 272, securing his 41st career PGA Tour win and third here.

In 2004, Woods’ only tour win came in the World Match Play Championship. He relinquished his five-year stranglehold on the No 1 ranking in September before winning a stroke-play event in Japan and finished second in the Tour Championship.

Lehman missed a short par putt on 18 to finish tied for second with Donald and Charles Howell III at 13-under 275. He carded a one-over 73.

The 27-year-old Donald, who had one career tour win, held a two-stroke lead over Woods and Lehman through 12 holes before succumbing to the pressure.

He double-bogeyed the 14th hole and Woods and Lehman, playing right behind him, both tapped in for birdie on the 13th. Donald bogeyed No 17 and finished at one-over 73.

Bernhard Langer finished fourth at 11 under and Ernie Els was among five golfers six shots off the pace.