Woods secures 73rd PGA Tour victory; ties Nicklaus

• By Bailey Mosier
• Jun 3, 2012 5:58 PM ET

Tiger Woods won the Memorial Tournament to secure his 73^rd PGA Tour victory, tying tournament host Jack Nicklaus at No. 2 in career wins on the PGA Tour.

Woods began the day four shots behind 54-hole leader Spencer Levin and three behind Rory Sabbatini, but fired a 5-under 67 for his fifth victory at Muirfield Village with a 9-under 279 total.

Despite four birdies on his front nine, it wasn’t until the 16^th hole that it appeared Woods had the tournament in the bag. He chipped in at the par-3 16^th to get into a share of the lead; a shot Nicklaus described as “the most unbelievably gutsy shot I've ever seen."

Sabbatini (72), playing in the last group behind Woods and Rickie Fowler, bogeyed the 16^th and ultimately gave Woods the solo lead. Another birdie for Woods at the 18^th sealed the deal.

“Boy I hit it good today,” Woods said. “I never really missed a shot today. I hit it great, had the pace of the greens really nice today and made a few putts.”

Perhaps Tiger’s intimidation factor does still exist – playing partner Fowler shot 12-over 84 to close the Memorial Tournament and finished T-52. Fowler had began the day tied with Woods.

Levin shot 3-over 75 in the final round, the same score he shot Sunday of the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February. Only in February, he had a six-shot lead though 54 holes.

The win is Woods’ second on the season; his first coming at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Invitational in March.

Woods and Nicklaus are second only to Sam Snead for most all-time wins on the PGA Tour. Tiger got there at age 36; Nicklaus was 46.

“It's been pretty nice, it's been a nice run since I've turned pro,” Woods said. “To do it at age 36, it's not too shabby. I'm very proud of what I've done so far and I feel like I got a lot of good years ahead of me.