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Woods wins Buick, pays tribute to 'special' venue
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-03 14:29

Woods wins Buick, pays tribute to 'special' venue
Tiger Woods holds the championship trophy after winning the Buick Open PGA golf tournament at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc, Michigan August 2, 2009. [Agencies]Woods wins Buick, pays tribute to 'special' venue

GRAND BLANC, Michigan: Tiger Woods captured the Buick Open title for a third and possibly final time on Sunday, cruising to a three-shot victory at an event that looks set to become the latest victim of the economic downturn.

The troubled Detroit automaker is expected to pull its sponsorship next season, meaning the tournament will disappear from the PGA Tour calendar.

If Sunday was indeed the tournament's final bow, then it could not have wished for a better send-off, the world number one delighting the fans at one of his favorite venues with a clinical, and at times emotional, victory.

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"I've never played in front of fans like this," Woods told reporters after a bogey-free final round of 69.

"This has been incredible, especially what's going on here in the area, for everyone to come out, it just makes it that much more special for all of us.

"I've been here since '99, and I've always enjoyed coming here. Only two years I haven't played here is because of the birth of my child, and my knee wasn't very good last year.

"So that's the only two times I haven't played here.

Playing his first event since missing the cut at the British Open, Woods began a sun-kissed day at Warwick Hills with a one-shot cushion and was never challenged, picking up birdies at the fourth, seventh and 16th for a 20-under 268.

Australians Greg Chalmers (69), John Senden (71) and American Roland Thatcher, with the round of the day an eight-under 64, finished in a tie for second on 17-under 271.

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