Date: January 29, 2007
Author: Sportal

Tiger wins, Buckle impresses

Sportal After heading into the final round of the Buick Invitational as joint leader, Australian Andrew Buckle could only manage a par round and had to settle for a share of fourth position with an overall score of 11-under as Tiger Woods stormed home to win his seventh PGA tour title in a row. Despite nailing six birdies for the round, the 2001 Australian Amateur champion conceded four bogeys and a double-bogey which hampered his chances of replicating his excellent third round of 68. Robert Allenby finished a further two shots behind Buckle in equal-ninth and Gavin Coles was the next best Aussie as he tied for 23rd spot with a score of five-under. Allenby finished the Invitational off in very impressive fashion as he jumped from equal-26th after three rounds thanks to a four-under round of 68. Woods started off the day in equal fourth position but the superstar turned it on when it mattered most as he chalked up five birdies and an eagle to score a final round of 66. The 12-time major winner was the only one in the entire field to register 66 in the final round and his assault on the title was complete as he ended up winning his fifth Buick Invitational – and third in a row – by two strokes. Charles Howell III finished in second position on 13-under while fellow American, and joint leader with Buckle after three rounds, Brandt Snedeker rounded out the top three with a score of 12-under. The next best Australians to finish after Coles were John Senden and Steve Allan who tied for 31st position with a score of four-under while Jarrod Lyle (T45 – two-under), Rod Pampling (T51 – one-under) and Paul Gow (T51 – one-under) all managed to finish under the card. Stephen Leaney finished one-over par. Final Standings of the Buick Invitational (par 72) -15: Tiger Woods 66 72 69 66 -13: Charles Howell III 70 64 73 68 -12: Brandt Snedeker 61 70 74 71 -11: Andrew Buckle (Australia) 66 71 68 72, Bubba Watson 67 74 69 67, Mark Calcavecchia 66 74 68 69 -10: Bart Bryant 66 73 70 69, Jeff Quinney 64 74 70 70 -9: Robert Allenby (Australia) 70 70 71 68, Ian Poulter 72 68 71 68, Rich Beem 67 68 73 71, Charlie Wi 63 72 73 71, Nick Watney 69 69 70 71 -8: Stewart Cink 68 71 71 70, Kevin Sutherland 65 71 70 74 Also: -5: Gavin Coles (Australia) 65 75 71 72 -4: John Senden (Australia) 64 75 75 70, Steve Allan (Australia) 67 73 71 73 -2: Jarrod Lyle (Australia) 70 68 73 75 -1: Rod Pampling (Australia) 72 69 70 76, Paul Gow (Australia) 71 70 73 73 +1: Stephen Leaney (Australia) 71 70 73 75