Baker's Dozen

Aug 13, 03:01 AM

Current Headlines: By Scott Paske, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.

Aug. 13--WOODS ADDS TO LEGEND

TULSA -- They tried to throw potholes and road blocks in Tiger Woods' path to his 13th major title Sunday at Southern Hills, and at times, it looked like Woody Austin and Ernie Els might succeed. But Woods stuck the PGA Championship's ace up his sleeve -- that sterling second-round 63 -- two days earlier and protected it all the way to the finish. Backing up his best single-day performance in a major with a second straight 1-under 69, Woods held off Austin by two shots and Els by three to win his fourth PGA crown.

In the hottest four days in major championship history, Woods posted a 72-hole total of 8-under 272. Woods won back-to-back PGA titles for the second time in his career, defending the Wanamaker Trophy he claimed last year at Medinah.

Only Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen have more PGA titles with five. Nicklaus' 18 majors are golf's gold standard.

"Any time you're in conversations with Bobby Jones and Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen, it makes you understand that you've had a nice run in your career," Woods said. "And I could not ask for a better start to my career.

"If you would have asked me that 12 years into my career, would I have had this many wins and this many majors? There's no way. I've exceeded my own expectations and I'm certainly not against that."

The 31-year-old Woods, who won his first major as a father, remained perfect when leading or sharing a 54-hole lead in one of golf's big four events. But while Stephen Ames, his closest pursuer through three rounds, faded with a 76, Derby's Austin and Els gave Woods another reason to sweat in addition to the 102-degree heat.

Austin, who birdied his first hole Thursday and was under par the entire tournament, used an early back-nine charge to shoot a 67. He started the day four shots behind Woods, but followed a tough par save at No. 10 with three consecutive birdies to help trim the deficit to one.

He used a 50-foot birdie putt from off the green at No. 12 as a platform for fan support. As the gallery in the theater-like setting roared its approval, Austin tugged at his ears to keep the noise flowing.

Woods, who was behind Austin near the 12th tee, got the message.

"I heard it," Woods said. "How could you not hear it? But I kept telling myself I had the lead. Whether he makes birdie there, that's fine. He has to come get me. The whole idea is not to go back to them, and I did that at (No.) 14."

Woods was referring to his three-putt bogey on the par-3 14th that dropped him to 7 under. It briefly opened the door for Austin, who stood over a 10-foot birdie putt at No. 15 with a share of the lead at stake. One hole ahead of Austin was Els, who had climbed into the hunt with six birdies in his first 14 holes.

But Austin's putt -- and his best remaining chance for a birdie -- slid by the left edge of the hole. And Els, who was 6 under heading to the 507-yard 16th, pulled his tee shot into the left rough and made a bogey.

Behind them, Woods gave himself a pep talk.

"I just felt like, you know what, I got myself into this mess and I need to go get myself out of it, Woods said. "I just did some serious yelling at myself going up to the 15th tee, just to get back into what I do."

Woods then hit his drive down the fairway and an approach to 10 feet. He rolled in the putt, punctuating it with a fist pump and a point of the finger. After hammering his tee shot down the middle at No. 16, Woods gave a cocksure twirl of his driver.

"I felt like I had the momentum again and I was back in control of the tournament," Woods said. "And if I parred in, I felt I would win the tournament. It turned out to be the case."

Els, whose 66 was second only to Simon Dyson's 64 on Sunday, closed with two pars to finish third. Austin, who posted his best finish in a major at age 43, scrambled for pars on his final three holes for his second runner-up finish of the season to go with his victory in the Stanford St. Jude Championship in June.

Austin climbed to 13th in the FedEx Cup points standings and secured a spot on the U.S. team in the upcoming Presidents Cup, his first international team competition as a pro.

"To be in this position the first time -- as far as in this exact position -- to go out and play the way I did and perform the way I did, I've got only good thoughts," Austin said. "It's so early from being over, so I still can't help but think of the missed opportunity, too. I'm human."

The chase ended with Woods securing a major in his last opportunity for 2007. Like Austin, who was greeted by his wife, Shannon, and sons Parker and Peyton on his way to the scoring area, Woods received kisses from his wife, Elin, and newborn daughter Sam to start his victory celebration.

"Golf-wise, it's been a good year," Woods said. "I've won this year. I've won a major championship now. I've contended in three of the four, so that part's been good.

"Off the golf course, it's been great. Last year the golf was great, but off the golf course was difficult (Woods' father, Earl, died of cancer). So I will certainly take this year over last year any time."

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