Masters still main goal for Woods

There is something that means more to Tiger Woods than winning seven successive US Tour titles – and it is not hard to guess what it is.

After extending his astonishing run – it dates back to the Open championship last July – with a two-stroke, come-from-behind victory at the Buick Invitational in San Diego – Woods was asked to make a choice.

“Seven in a row or fifth green jacket, what’s more important?” a reporter wanted to know.

Without hesitation Woods replied: “Fifth green jacket.”

Recapturing the Masters at Augusta in April would give the world number one his 13th major and his third in a row, leaving only the US Open for him to repeat his unique “Tiger Slam” in 2001.

Before heading to this week’s Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour – he is the holder of that trophy too after beating Ernie Els in a play-off a year ago - Woods added: “My whole goal is to get ready for Augusta and prepare and make sure my game is peaking towards that.

“As far as how special seven is, you’re in elite company. There’s only one person that’s ahead of you (Byron Nelson with 11 in 1945). He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of the game and to be in company like that is pretty special.”

Once again Woods, now with 75 victories to his name worldwide, demonstrated he is a class apart these days when it comes to seizing a winning chance.

He was seven adrift at halfway at Torrey Pines and still two behind with six holes to play, but while he almost eagled the long 13th Australian rookie Andrew Buckle, the man he was chasing, double-bogeyed the 12th.

Woods then added another birdie on the 17th for good measure and his closing 66, the low round of the day, brought him a third successive Buick crown.

“It’s just fun, fun to be there.” he stated.

“That’s why you bust your butt as hard as do you in practice sessions to get yourself in that position. I feel comfortable being there. I’ve been there enough times and I’ve had success and also I haven't had success. You learn from both.

“It’s like what Jack (Nicklaus) had always said. Winning breeds winning and the more you win, the more you understand how to do it and you do it different ways. I’ve done it with great ball-striking, I've done it with lousy ball-striking, I’ve done it with great putting and so-so putting and sometimes I've done it with my short game.

“If you’re able to do it different ways, it just breeds more and more confidence when you’re put in that situation again.

“The thing I’m really excited about is the fact that since the US Open my worst finish has been second in stroke-play events. That’s pretty good, I think.”