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TIGER DEFENDS TITLE FOR 4th BUICK INVITATIONAL WIN
Every shot mattered on the final day of tournament play, since 12 different players who had a share of the lead could've walked away with it all. But, the 2006 Buick Invitational ended in a surprise three-way playoff, leaving Tiger Woods as the four-time record champion. In a suspenseful competition, he succeeded over two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal and Australian rookie Nathan Green.
He started the tournament like any other player, but made his 8-foot putt for the only birdie on the 12th hole, with time running out on that Sunday afternoon. Afterwards, he drained a 10-foot birdie putt on the last hole of regulation to shoot an even-par 72. He joined Olazabal (69) and Green (72) at 10-under-par 278.
The crowd watched in excitement as the playoff began, but Woods who made simple pars watched as Olazabal and Green made some critical mistakes. Green was first to act, and when his 3-wood went into the grandstand, he took his free drop knowing that there was no way out of such a horrible situation. Barely moving his ball on his next stroke, Green makes bogey. Yet, for Green it was a mighty finish for his second PGA Tour start.
In thrilling playoff fashion, it was Woods and Olazabal onto the 16th hole. Olazabal played an impressive bunker shot on the par-3 of the second extra hole at Torrey Pines, but then missed a 4-foot par putt. Olazabal has only been in two playoffs on the PGA Tour, and both of them have ended in losses when he missed the short putt to give Woods the win.
"It's not how you want to win," Woods said. "I had a chance to make birdie on 18 in the playoff and end it right there. You don't ever take joy out of seeing friends do that." With his head bowed, Olazabal and Woods shook hands at the end of a short playoff match. According to Woods, "for me to even have a chance to be in the playoff, to win the title ... very lucky." This victory marked a 47th PGA Tour career win for Woods, and a record 9-1 in playoff wins.
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