To call Tiger Woods’ recent performances since his injuries and his marital problems a slump is to redefine slump from a temporary ailment to a seemingly permanent setback. However, with one brilliant chip on the 16th hole of Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, Woods’ fortunes seem to have changed. That chip turned a possible bogey into a birdie, ignited Woods’ putter, and propelled him from behind to a 9-under-par, two-shot return to victory lane. Tiger Woods has won The Memorial for the fifth time, bringing his tournament wins total in 2012 to 2. It’s officially his best tour season since 2009!
“That was kind of sweet, too,” Woods said of the brilliant chip-shot at No. 16. “It just fell in. I didn’t think it was going to get there at one point. . . . I thought I was going to leave it short somehow, and then it fell in.” Woods added, “That was some good stuff out there. I never really missed a shot today.”
The Memorial win is noteworthy for Tiger Woods in more than one way. Not only is it his second tournament win in 2012 (the first year he’s had multiple wins–or any wins–since 2009), it’s also something of a milestone. It’s Woods’ fifth win at The Memorial and his 73rd win all time, which ties Woods with Jack Nicklaus for second most tournament wins of all time. Only Sam Snead, who won 82, is ahead of the pair.
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