Sandwich, England, July 21: Tiger Woods's failure to clinch his ninth career major at the British Open on Sunday was almost as surprising as the shock one-shot victory achieved by American rookie Ben Curtis. Going into the final round at Royal St George's, the stage was perfectly set for the world number one to end a run of four major championships without a win.

He was one of nine players separated by just three shots at the top of the leaderboard, trailing third-round leader Thomas Bjorn of Denmark by two.

Woods also had added incentive, as he had never before come from behind to win a major championship.

The 27-year-old American has triumphed in seven majors since his maiden victory at the 1997 U.S. Masters, but in all eight of them he has either led or shared the lead going into the last day.

"I've won eight a different way, so maybe I can win this way," he said with confidence before Sunday's final round. "It's still not a bad percentage, though."
As it happened, though, the anticipated Woods last-day charge failed to materialise. Bureau Report