FROM THE FRINGE: Tiger Dominates at Firestone

By Chad Hoyle (@chadillacgrilz)

Can he repeat at the major next weekend?

Tiger Woods took the top honors this past weekend at Bay Hill, coasting to victory on a commanding lead established earlier in the tournament. Woods finished the event at 15 under par, greatly due to a second round that he completed in a mere 61 shots, tying his career-best record for a round. 

Coupled with remarkably safe and consistent play for the remainder of the tournament, Woods needed only par in the final round to maintain his lead position and win the event by seven shots over defending champ Keegan Bradley. 
 
The win marks Tiger’s eighth at Firestone, and ties him with record holder Sam Snead for total wins at a PGA Tour event. The victory also edges Woods ever closer to another Snead record- 82 PGA Tour career wins- by marking Tiger’s 79th time finishing at the top.

The resounding win will serve Tiger well as he prepares for the PGA Championship, the major tour event held scheduled for next weekend at Oak Hill in New York. Far from the favorite to win the event, Woods will need to summon the same strength that allowed for his stellar performance in the second round last Friday, where he overcame blustery and rainy conditions to shoot one of the best rounds of his career. Tiger will be looking to end his major winless streak of 17 straight events, and despite this week’s win, re-establish himself as the dominant major tournament winner he once was. Until he wins another major tournament, Woods will never be considered to have regained his unanimous position as the world’s greatest golfer. 

PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Pittsford, NY begins Thursday, Aug 8th.

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