World number one golfer Tiger Woods is looking forward to the first major of the season after finally winning his first title this season at the Bay Hill Invitational. The top-ranked American had gone six months without a win and has been somewhat inconsistent this season so far by his own high standards. Even yesterday's final round in Orlando was far from vintage Woods but he had done enough in the three previous days to shake off the challenge of Phil Mickelson - but only just.
"The way I played today, it would be hard to say it gives me momentum," he said afterwards. "I just scored well, and I guess that gives you positive vibes." Woods will now turn his attention to next week's Players Championship (known in many quarters as the fifth major) and the Masters at Augusta which gets underway in three weeks time. "Next week is a wonderful test because we face very similar conditions, with the greens being severe. Going into Augusta, I need to start hitting the ball a little better, controlling my trajectory," he added.
Meanwhile, Mickelson was obviously disappointed to lose by such a narrow margin to Woods but is hoping to challenge him in the weeks ahead. "Today is how I need to play the next three weeks. Early in the week I gave away 10 to 15 shots. I don't know how you expect to beat the best player in the world doing that," explained the left-hander.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
