Tiger Woods can carve for himself another slice of golfing
history in the Buick Invitational this week at Torrey Pines, where
the world No1 will be playing for a seventh consecutive victory on
the PGA Tour. While Woods has played down the significance of the
run dating back to last year's Open at Hoylake, as he has lost
twice on other tours during its compilation, the record books
still show him tied with Ben Hogan in second place on the all-time
list. A win in San Diego this week and Woods would be just four
behind the record holder, Byron Nelson.
"Technically I'm going for seven in a row, and that would be
nice," said Woods, whose winning run also included the PGA
Championship. "But my streak really ended when I lost in the first
round of the HSBC World Match Play Championship in England." That
defeat to Shaun Micheel at Wentworth in September came in a
European Tour event not co-sanctioned by its American equivalent.
Even though Woods will be making his first appearance of the
season, few would bet against him claiming a fifth title in only
10 starts at a course on which he has been playing since he was 12
years old. "Even though they have redesigned the South course,
it's still a wonderful layout and I always enjoy San Diego," he
said. "There are not too many golf courses you play where you feel
very comfortable, and that's what I feel here."
The world No4, Phil Mickelson, will also be at home in his
surroundings when the first round tees off tomorrow. Mickelson,
who was born in San Diego, won at Torrey Pines in 1993, 2000 and
2001. "This is a tournament that means a lot to me because,
growing up from here, I was on the outside of the ropes looking in
and dreamed of being a tour player," Mickelson said. "It gives me
a great feeling now that I'm realising those dreams of playing the
tour."
