AUGUSTA, Ga. -- As Tiger Woods walked down the ninth fairway at Augusta National Golf Club yesterday afternoon, tied for the lead with David Duval in the final round of the 65th Masters, a fan called out to the world's best player.
"Halfway to history," the man shouted.
Considering that he had already won three of golf's four major championships last year, Woods was a little further along in his quest to become the first player in history to hold the title in each of the Grand Slam events at the same time. A couple of hours later, Woods was all the way there.
In the most scintillating Sunday shootout seen here in more than a quarter-century, Woods birdied the final hole to beat Duval by two strokes and Phil Mickelson, the world's No. 2 player, by three.
It meant that Woods, 25, is the reigning champion of the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship.
"I don't think as a kid you think about winning four straight majors," said Woods. "You definitely think about competing against the best players in the world, winning golf tournaments and winning majors. I never had a thought of winning four in a row in my head -- until now."
It was the sixth major championship for Woods and second Masters, following his record-setting, history-making win here in 1997 when he became the youngest player to win the Masters. It was his third victory in as many tournaments, after talk that Woods was in a slump.
The victory for Woods was his 27th since turning pro after winning his third straight U.S. Amateur (also a record) in 1996. The win -- his 21st out of 23 chances on the PGA Tour in which Woods held at least a share of the lead going into the final day -- was worth $1,008,000 and pushed his career record earnings to $23,767,307.
Starting one shot ahead of Mickelson, Woods shot a final round of 4-under-par 68 to give him a four-round total of 16-under-par 272. It was just two strokes off his own tournament record, set four years ago when he won by a record nine strokes.
It was typical of what Woods has done throughout his career as an amateur and a pro.
The more pressure was applied, the better Woods played.
After jockeying for position over several holes with Duval, Woods finally got some breathing room late on the back nine. Bogeys by Duval and Mickelson on the par-3 16th, and a 6-footer that Duval missed for birdie on the par-4 18th hole nearly closed the door.
