Teary Tiger does it for dad

British Open 2006 - Round Four

An emotional Tiger Woods secured his third Open championship and second in two years with a near flawless final round at Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, overnight.

Woods displayed his trademark calmness under pressure, seeing off the challenge of American counterpart Chris DiMarco with a five-under 67 for an impressive 18-under-par total of 270 and a two-shot victory.

However, Woods’ composure deserted him following his last putt, as he let out a big howl of relief, before collapsing into the arms of his longtime caddy Steve Williams. The tears flowed in remembrance of his beloved father; his mentor and best friend who passed away two months ago.

“I didn’t think about him all day, I was just trying to focus and get the ball around the course, but coming up the 18th (hole), it hit me. I realised my dad was never going to see me play again and he’d never see me win another major, and all these emotions started to come pouring out,” Woods said.

“I miss my dad so much; I really wish he could have been here. He loved to watch me grind out championships and he would have enjoyed today.”

His 11th major title allowed Woods to move above Walter Hagen into clear second spot on golf’s all-time list, as he continues his relentless march towards Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championships.

DiMarco would make sure Woods earned his third Claret Jug, defiantly testing the world number one after all his other main rivals failed to fire a shot. Sergio Garcia began the final day within one of the leader, but carded four bogeys on the outward nine to end his hopes, while Ernie Els’ chances were similarly stifled by two early dropped shots.

With Woods ahead by three strokes and cruising at the turn, it appeared as if popular pre-round predictions of a comfortable ‘Tiger triumph’ would materialise. But no-one told the ungainly DiMarco and just like he did at last year’s US Masters, he stood up to seemingly peerless Woods.

He made birdie at the 13th, then saved par at the 14th with an incredible 30-metre putt across the green and it looked like it just might be DiMarco’s day. Those expectations would only increase when Woods faltered momentarily at the 13th; an uncharacteristically wayward iron leading to a bogey that trimmed the margin down to a solitary shot.

However, as if waiting for the inevitable challenge, Woods simply clicked into another gear, posting birdies on the next three holes with superior ball-striking and impeccable putting to ensure another Open championship celebration.

DiMarco (68) would have to settle for outright second position at 16-under-par, with Els (71) all alone in third, another three shots back at 13-under.

Adam Scott led home the contingent of Aussies with an even-par round of 72 and a nine-under-par total of 279, which was good enough to tie for eighth place. While it was easily his best finish ever at a British Open, his round could have been even better, with three late dropped shots spoiling his final card.

Of the other Australians, Brett Rumford, Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Lonard and Robert Allenby all ended at six-under-par 282, with Mark Hensby another stroke behind at five-under.

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