When Tiger Woods made an unbelievable pitch-in for birdie from a treacherous spot, you knew the old Tiger was back and there was no way the 14-time Major winner was going to lose.

At the Memorial tournament on Sunday, Woods pulled out one great shot after another to shoot a 5-under 67 and win by two strokes from Rory Sabbatini and Andres Romero. Overnight leader Spencer Levin finished tied for fourth with Daniel Summerhays, while World number one Luke Donald ended in 12^th place.

Woods birdied three of his last four holes at the Muirfield Village, including that amazing chip shot which he said was one of his toughest shots ever, to clinch his 5^th Memorial title and 73^rd career PGA Tour win, that tied him with Jack Nicklaus on the course that was built by the great Nicklaus himself.

Nicklaus was left astounded by Woods' play on the final round, particularly the one on the 16th. "Under the circumstances -- the circumstances being Tiger has been struggling -- it was either fish or cut bait," Nicklaus said after the tournament.

"He had one place to land the ball. He's playing a shot that if he leaves it short, he's going to leave himself again a very difficult shot. If he hits it long, he's going to probably lose the tournament. He lands the ball exactly where it has to land...I don't think under the circumstances I've ever seen a better shot."

Woods, who is four Majors short of tying Nicklaus record of 18, said he was thrilled to have tied Nicklaus on his very course. "It's awfully special to tie Jack's record here in his tournament. To have Jack at the 18^th, it's really special for us players and for him to greet us after the tournament, it's just so special."

"To pull it off at the end, to birdie three of the last four, it was a nice finish, and to pull off that shot at the 16^th, it was pretty sweet too.

"To tie Jack at 73 wins and to do it at such a young age, it's pretty special."

Woods, who finished the tournament with a 9-under 279, is now 9 wins away from tying Sam Snead's record of 82 wins.  

"Today was fun. I striped it today from the word go. I had it all today"

Asked if he was back, Woods said: "Well, I won, but I will let you guys figure that out."

Looking ahead to the US Open, which begins on June 14 at the Olympic Club, Woods said it would be a big test. "It's way different than '98. They have added some serious length there. They have the hardest six holes ever to start off a tournament. It's going to be a hell of a test."