Tiger Woods won the Memorial Tournament to secure his 73rd 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 16th hole that it appeared Woods had the tournament in the bag. He chipped in at the par-3 16th 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 16th and ultimately gave Woods the solo lead. Another birdie for Woods at the 18th 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.