MELBOURNE -- Tiger Woods closed with a 4-under-par 68 on Sunday to win the JBWere Masters by two strokes over Greg Chalmers at Kingston Heath Golf Club. It was his seventh victory of the year and the 93rd of his career, 82 coming in official events.
"I got a 'W,'" Woods said after winning for the first time in Australia, the 13th country in which he has triumphed. "That was the goal this week. I'm very, very thankful to come here and play in front of such great people and put together some good rounds. My friends and family came down, and everyone had a great time. It's a bonus that I even won the tournament."
The 33-year-old Woods, who received $270,000 and a hefty appearance fee, said the key to victory was hanging tough Saturday, when he ground out an even-par 72 to remain in contention.
"I was very thankful to still be in the tournament," he said. "It was one of those rounds that could have gotten away from me. It allowed me to go out there today and still have a chance to win."
Paired in the second-to-last twosome with Aussie Cameron Percy, Woods began the final round tied for the lead with James Nitties and Chalmers at 10-under. Another sellout crowd of more than 20,000 was on hand, with the majority following the top-ranked Woods.
Looking for a fast start, Woods two-putted the par-5 first hole for a birdie from 30 feet, then flagged approach shots at the par-4 fifth and sixth holes and sunk short birdie putts to secure a two-shot cushion. He made a nice seven-foot par save at the par-4 ninth to make the turn in 3-under 33.
"That was big to keep the momentum going that I built up on the first eight holes," said Woods.
After nearly making a birdie putt from long range at the par-4 10th, he did well to two-putt the par-3 11th from about 40 feet.
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