Tiger Woods has been the dominant player on the PGA Tour once again and he is back in a familiar position, as he won at Bay Hill at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Monday, bringing him back to the number one world ranking after two years.
Woods looked like his old self throughout the tournament and he won for the eighth time at the event, pulling him into a tie with Sam Snead for the most at one tournament. Woods has won twice on the tour before taking home the victory on Monday and he now has three wins before the Masters for the first time since 2008.
Woods took a three stroke lead into play on Sunday, but the final round of the tournament was delayed by a serious rain storm that hit central Florida. Woods had to wait until Monday, but the result was just the same when he has the outright lead heading into the final round, as he has taken 51 of 55 events after taking that into the final day.
The trip back to number one was a long road for Woods, as he lost his rank in October 2010 to Lee Westwood and then to Rory McIlroy before getting it back. He fell as low as 58th and didn't win on the tour for nearly two years, but all that is behind him now. Martin Kaymer and Luke Donald also held the number one ranking for a time.
"It's a byproduct of hard work, patience and getting back to winning golf tournaments," Woods said.
Woods shot a 2-under 70 over Justin Rose to finish two strokes ahead and continued his excellent putting this year, hitting a number of birdies and eagles along the way. Woods now is the likely favorite at the Masters in April, which is the next tournament he will play. He hasn't won three times prior to the Masters since 2008 and could take home his first major since then as well with a win at Augusta.
The win for Woods was his 77th on the PGA Tour and inches him closer to Sam Snead's total of 82 victories, the most all time. CLICK here for the official PGA Tour schedule.