Akron: Tiger Woods won a record seventh WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title, overhauling Padraig Harrington with a sizzling burst of scoring before benefiting from a late collapse by the Irishman.
The American world number one fired a five-under-par 65 on a breezy, humid day at Firestone Country Club to clinch his 70th PGA Tour victory, and fifth of the year, by four strokes.
Trailing playing partner Harrington by three overnight, Woods took control by covering the front nine in a spectacular five-under 30 on the way to a 12-under total of 268.
The Irishman regained a one-shot cushion with three holes remaining before his title bid unravelled with a triple-bogey at the par-five 16th after the duo had been put on the clock for slow play.
A closing 72 earned him a share of second place with Australian Robert Allenby (66).
Masters champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina signed off with a 67 to tie for fourth at seven under with American Hunter Mahan (66) in the elite World Golf Championships (WGC) event.
"I just knew that I had to get off to a quick start somehow and I was able to do that," Woods told reporters after sinking a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th green.
"But Paddy was just hanging in there, never made a mistake. He made a nice birdie at 11, then I made two mistakes at 13, 14. Paddy made a great par at 14 to take the lead. Until 16 it was just a great battle."
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, August 10, 2009, 08:55