World number one Tiger Woods sent out a warning to the European team ahead of this weekend's Ryder Cup at the Belfrey with a win in the American Express World Golf Championship at Mount Juliet yesterday. The world number one equalled the lowest 72-hole total of his career with his 25 under par aggregate - and but for a missed four-foot putt on the last he would have completed the tournament without a single bogey.
But there were also three things to cheer European captain Sam Torrance on the final day of the £3.5million championship. First Colin Montgomerie declared he was fit to play, then Swedish rookie Niclas Fasth equalled the course record with a 64, then Sergio Garcia smashed it by two, equalling the lowest round of his career in the process.
But Garcia for one is not going to worry about how Woods or the other Americans fared this week, though, after charging from joint 23rd place to seventh. "This means nothing," said the 22-year-old Spaniard. "The Ryder Cup is a different tournament. The atmosphere and energy inside you changes for a Ryder Cup."
Woods' performance was not the only one to bring a smile to the face of American captain Curtis Strange. David Toms was joint fourth, Davis Love eighth and Phil Mickelson finished what had been a disappointing week with a 64 that equalled the course record until Garcia's and Goosen's rounds.
"I said it reminded me of college days with your coach watching you trying to qualify,"said Mickelson. "I wanted to play better and better as the week progressed and I think that's the case. I should be pretty close to be ready on Friday, but I don't think what's happened here is intimidating for the European tour. Look at the quality you've got - I expect it to be close."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
