Woods: I always felt in control

Tiger Woods never thought he was going to lose his semi-final at the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Even when Henrik Stenson birdied the 16th hole to make it all square with two to play, top seed Woods was a picture of serenity as he went to the 17th tee.

"I've been in that position before," Woods said after winning the final two holes for a hard-fought two-up victory at Dove Mountain.

"I've played umpteen more matches than he has. I've seen it all and nothing really surprises me out there. I felt in control of the match all day."

Woods, who has won six of his past seven official starts worldwide, will play fellow American Stewart Cink in today's 36-hole final, after Cink produced a brilliant front nine to defeat compatriot Justin Leonard four and two.

Swede Stenson, last year's winner, was the lone European survivor into the final four, and he kept it close but never led as his putter deserted him at a couple of crucial moments.

Woods and Stenson won a hole each on the front nine, and halved the other seven to make the turn all square.

Woods, the 2003 and 2004 champion, took the lead with a birdie at the 10th, so often a pivotal hole, and they halved the next five holes until Stenson pulled level with a 15-foot birdie at the par-three 16th.

Woods regained the lead with a clutch 10-foot birdie at the 17th, however.

"It was a nice putt to make," said Woods. "It's fun to have the opportunity. Whether you succeed or fail, at least you have a chance. Lucky over my career, I've succeeded more than I've failed.

"Every match is its own little battle. One of the things I learned from my dad is in match play you have 18 battles. You've just got to win more than they do."