Former world no. 1 Tiger Woods shot a five under 67 in the final round to clinch the Memorial Tournament and secure his second title of the year.
Woods produced some incredible touch to match Jack Nicklaus’s career tally of 73 PGA Tour wins with his fifth victory at the Memorial Tournament.
The 14 major champion’s stunning chip-in on the short 16th was the decisive moment in a fifth Memorial victory.
He began the final day four strokes behind the pace setting Spencer Levin and made a fast start before taking control with a scintillating finish that included a chip-in for birdie at the 16th that was lavishly praised by tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
“That shot on 16 was one of the best I’ve ever seen,” said Nicklaus to Woods behind the 18th green.
Woods is clinching his second PGA Tour victory of the season in his final appearance before the U.S. Open.
He birdied three of the last four holes for a five-under-par 67 and a nine-under total of 279, moving past Nicklaus into outright second place in the all-time standings for career victories on the U.S. circuit.
Nicklaus has 73 PGA Tour wins while Sam Snead leads the way with 82.
Woods’s victory follows his win at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Invitational in March, which ended a 30-month title drought after the turmoil in his personal life, a series of injuries and the rebuilding of his swing with new coach Sean Foley.
Sabbatini, who briefly led by two shots on the back nine, closed with a 72 to share second place at seven under with Argentina’s Andres Romero, who rolled in a 13-foot birdie putt at the last for a 67.
Levin, seeking a maiden PGA Tour victory, clung to a three-stroke lead at the turn but then limped home to a 75 and a tie for fourth at five under with fellow American Daniel Summerhays (69).
Levin shared fourth with Daniel Summerhays on five under, the latter carding 69 including three birdies and an eagle in his last five holes.
Two more Americans, Matt Every and Jonathan Byrd, were four under, with Justin Rose three under and a closing 67 leaving fellow Englishman Greg Owen a further shot back alongside Ryo Ishikawa and Aaron Baddeley. Luke Donald was one under
Final Leaderboard At Memorial:
-9 : Tiger Woods (US)
-7 : Andres Romero (Argentina), Rory Sabbatini (South Africa)
-5 : Daniel Summerhays (US), Spencer Levin (US)
-4 : Matt Every (US), Jonathan Byrd (US)
Others: -3 : Justin Rose (England)
-2 : Greg Owen (England), Ryo Ishikawa (Japan), Aaron Baddeley (Australia)
-1 : Luke Donald (England)
