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Woods celebrates 60th win

September 10, 2007 12:11 IST
Tiger Woods celebrated his 60th career title on Sunday and is showing no signs of slowing down.

The world number one, who has spent 11 years speeding past golfing milestones and records, was in vintage form with a flawless final-round 63 to capture the BMW Championship and become just the fifth player to win 60 PGA Tour titles.

While the number 18 -- Jack Nicklaus's record for career majors -- is the figure Woods is most focused on, he paused to savour his 60th title, admitting he has surprised himself by how quickly has reached the mark.

The victory left Woods just two behind Arnold Palmer in fourth on the all-time list, with Ben Hogan (64), Nicklaus (73) and Sam Snead (82) all within his reach.

"I never, ever would have dreamt that this would happen so soon," Woods told reporters after becoming just the fifth player to record 60 PGA Tour wins. "I've been out here 11 years, my 12th season and to have this many wins...I never could have foreseen that.

"I've exceeded my expectations and it's been a lot of fun to enjoy that whole process to get to 60.

"It's been a lot of work. There have been some changes along the

way but I think that's all been great."

Just 31-years-old, Woods reached 60 wins five years quicker than anyone else and arrived there in typical style -- smashing records along the way.

Woods's final round 63 equalled the lowest 18-hole score in the history of the 104 year-old championship while his winning total of 22-under 262 was five shots better than any previous score.

It was Woods sixth win of the season and fourth at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, where he made his first PGA Tour cut more than a decade ago, pushing his career earnings past $75 million -- another record.

"This tournament has been very special to me," Woods told reporters. "I got an exemption to play here as an amateur. I ended up making my first cut ever on the PGA Tour here.

"This town has always been great to me. The people have always come out and supported this event, have supported me over the years. I've always just loved playing here, and I think that's kind of how -- for some reason it's kind of showed up in my victories here in the Chicago area."

Woods won the PGA Championship last month, his 13th major title.

Steve Keating
Source: REUTERS
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