McDowell victory leave Woods winless

Northern Irishman beats former world No.1 to Chevron World Challenge title

Tiger Woods has finished 2010 without a victory, after Graeme McDowell snatched a play-off victory in the Chevron World Challenge.

The Northern Irishman overcame a four-shot deficit to take the former world No.1 into a play-off, where he proved his ability to perform under pressure with a sensational 20-foot putt for birdie and the victory.

“2010 has been the stuff of dreams,” said the 31-year-old after securing his fourth victory of the year, his second in America alongside the US Open Championship.

“Playing one of the greatest golfers who has ever played and to beat him like this I’m just ecstatic.

“He used to appear invincible. Of course he has made himself appear more human in the last 12 months, but there’s something a bit special about his golf game and I fully expect that mystique to return.”

While McDowell celebrated the best year of his career, Woods had to make do with second place at the end of what has been a tumultuous year for the 34-year-old.

Having spent five months away from the game following much-publicised revelations about his private life, Woods made his return at the Masters where he finished fourth.

He followed that performance with another fourth-place finish at the US Open, joint 23rd in the Open Championship and tied for 28th at the US PGA.

Struggling for form at time, he missed the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship, his first missed weekend on the regular tour for four-and-a-half years, with a nine-over-par 153.

Having lost his world No.1 status to England’s Lee Westwood in October, he finally appeared to be back to his best at Sherwood Country Club, going into the final day with a four-shot advantage.

However, on Sunday he could manage just a 73 to McDowell’s 69, leaving Woods without a win for the first year since 1995.

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered