Tiger Woods at The Grove: Relive his WGC victory, 10 years on...
Thursday 13 October 2016 16:11, UK
The Grove makes its return to the European Tour this week when it hosts the British Masters supported by Sky Sports, a decade on from Tiger Woods storming to a victory at the venue.
The 14-time major champion produced a dominant display during the WGC-American Express Championship, breaking records on his way to easing to a eight-shot triumph.
Woods came in to the event outside of Watford off the back of a run of five consecutive stroke play wins, but had been part of the USA Ryder Cup team thrashed 18.5-9.5 at the K Club the previous week.
The world No 1 holed a 20-foot eagle at the par-five last to close an opening-round 63, setting the course record in the process, to move one-shot clear of early pacesetters Padraig Harrington and Ian Poutler.
Woods continued his dominance in tougher scoring conditions on the Friday, birdieing five of his first 17 holes to pull clear of Ryder Cup colleagues Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk.
Live European Tour Golf
Another eagle-three at the 18th, this time from 10 feet, closed a blemish-free 64 and gave Woods a commanding five-shot cushion heading in to the weekend.
A record crowd of over 26,000 greeted the players on Saturday, where Woods opened the door slightly for the chasing pack by stuttering to the turn in level-par.
As Furyk, Cink and David Howell failed to capitalise on a rare blip from Woods, the American took advantage to post birdies at the 12th and 15th to reclaim his healthy lead.
Woods then brought the biggest cheer of the week around the 18th green as he drained a 33-footer to claim a third eagle in as many days at The Grove's final hole.
A four-under 71 extended Woods' lead to six strokes heading in to the final day over nearest challenger Adam Scott, who closed a blemish-free 66, with Furyk and fellow American Brett Quigley a further stroke back.
Any hopes of a Woods collapse were quashed with two birdies in his first five holes, before the world No 1 put one hand on the title by beginning his back nine with a gain.
Two weather delays could not prevent Woods closing a four-under 67 to complete an eight-shot victory, his sixth consecutive victory in strokeplay events.
"It really has been a fun week," Woods said after his win. "I hit the ball really well, for all 72 holes to be honest, and it is a lot of fun when you feel like you can control your golf ball that well."
Live European Tour Golf
Who will win at The Grove this week? Watch the British Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home golf
