Tiger cruises to another Buick Invitational victory

Tiger Woods shot a final round one-under-par 71 last night to claim the Buick Invitational by eight shots.

The 32-year-old finished on 19 under par, well clear of Ryuji Imada in second place after a five-under 67 saw the Japanese player climb the leaderboard having started the day in a tie for eighth.

Stewart Cink, who began the final round in second place, shot a one-over-par 73 and finished in a tie for third with Rory Sabbatini at nine-under.

Cink and Woods were the only two golfers to enter the final round having carded three rounds in the 60s, but neither could make it four.

Woods, who earned US$936,000 (€636,980) for his 62nd career victory, began the fourth round with an eight-shot lead, but soon extended it to nine after a birdie at the first hole.

That became 10 when he picked up another shot at he sixth before a bogey at the eight saw the world number one play the front nine in 35.

Woods made three birdies on the back nine but also recorded three consecutive bogeys to finish with a round of 71, his first in the 70s since carding an opening round of 72 in the first week of September at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

He had posted 19 consecutive rounds in the 60s.