Sport - Golf

Woods tastes first victory in Japan

— AP

Tiger Woods who won the Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament.

MIYAZAKI (JAPAN), NOV. 21. Tiger Woods shot a 3-under 67 to win the Dunlop Phoenix for his first title since February and first victory in Japan.

Woods, who entered the final round with a 10-stroke lead, carded five birdies against a pair of bogeys at the Phoenix Country Club on Sunday to finish at 16-under 264, eight-strokes ahead of Japan's Ryoken Kawagishi, who shot a 65.

South Korea's K.J. Choi also had a 65 but finished third at 6-under 274.

``I feel great,'' said Woods. ``To have won on this course and at this event with all the great past champions is a great feeling.''

The $1.89 million tournament is the richest on the Japanese tour. Woods, winner of eight major titles, recorded his lone victory this year at the Match Play championship. The last time he won a stroke-play tournament was in October 2003. Woods, who relinquished his World No. 1 ranking to Vijay Singh two months ago, had gone 20 stroke-play tournaments without a victory, his longest drought ever. He finished eighth in this tournament two years ago. Woods said he wasn't concerned that a win on the Japanese Tour won't be considered important in some circles. — AP

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