Jan30 TIgerstreak

By Doug Ferguson, Associated Press

Tiger Woods couldn’t ignore the comments from fans who filled every inch of grass lining every fairway as they watched history repeat itself – and perhaps history in the making – at the Buick Invitational.

“It seemed like everyone was yelling out, ‘Seven”’ he said. “It was a pretty common theme out there today, basically all week.”

The buzz at the Buick Invitational came from Woods’ pursuit of his seventh straight PGA Tour victory, which he accomplished by closing with a 6-under 66 to win by two shots over Charles Howell III.

He now owns the second-longest winning streak in PGA Tour history, trailing the 11 in a row that Byron Nelson won in 1945.

“As far as how special seven is, you’re in elite company,” Woods said. “There’s only one person ahead of you. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. To be in company like with Mr. Nelson … it’s pretty special.”

It was his third straight title at Torrey Pines, this one a combination of three key holes and help from three PGA Tour rookies. Brandt Snedeker was so nervous that he had trouble eating breakfast and soon fell out of a share of the lead. Andrew Buckle of Australia fell apart with a double bogey on the 12th and Jeff Quinney took double bogey from the bunker on the 14th.

Woods, meanwhile, joined the chase with a 3-wood that soared 276 yards to within 25 feet for eagle onthe 9th. He took his first lead with a 65-foot eagle putt that curled around the back of the cup on the 13th and stopped inches away. And when Howell challenged him late, Woods answered with a 9-iron into 2.5 feet for birdie on No. 17 that gave him a cushion.

“It ain’t easy beating that guy,” Howell said, a runner-up for the ninth time since his lone PGA Tour victory in 2002.

Tiger has already surpassed Nelson’s mark of consecutive cuts by making 142 in a row until getting sent home from the Byron Nelson Championship – how appropriate – in 2005.

Some other numbers also proved staggering.

It was his 55th career victory as Woods begins his 11th full season on the PGA Tour. It was the third tournament he has won at least five times (the other two were World Golf Championships), and it was the fourth tournament he has won at least three straight years, joining Bay Hill, Memorial and Firestone.

Woods also won in his season debut for the fifth time in 11 years. Woods played the final 39 holes with only one bogey

Players who have had victories in four or more consecutive starts on the PGA Tour:
11 – Byron Nelson, 1945
7 – Tiger Woods, 2006-present
6 – Ben Hogan, 1948
6 – Tiger Woods, 1999-00
4 – Byron Nelson, 1945-46
4 – Jackie Burke Jr., 1952
4 – Ben Hogan, 1953

Tiger Woods has more wins per start than anyone else in the history of the game.
 
We worked out his winning average based on the number of tournaments played, and it makes for some startling stats:
 
Player     Percentage (wins / starts)
Tiger Woods     27.36% (55 out of 201)
Ben Hogan     20.7% (61 of 294)
Byron Nelson     17.8% (50 of 281)
Sam Snead     14.9% (81 of 549
Jack Nicklaus     12.2% (73 of 594)
Billy Casper     9.2% (51 of 556)
Arnold Palmer     8.4% (62 of 734)

 

 

 

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