Tiger Woods won his third tournament in seven starts this year, by clinching a two-shot win at the AT & T National on Sunday at the Congressional Country Club.
In a tense duel with Bo Van Pelt, Woods struggled initially, making mistakes and handing the advantage to his compatriot. However, Van Pelt found it tough in the final stages, bogeying his last three holes to give Woods a two-shot win.
This was Woods' 74th victory on the PGA Tour and saw him move ahead of Jack Nicklaus in the all-time wins category. The American is eight wins away from equalling Sam Snead's record of 82.
Woods, who finished at 8-under 276, also became the first player on tour to notch up three victories this year and moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings for the first time since September 2009.
Adam Scott finished in third place on 279.
"What an incredible week," Woods, who also hosts the tournament, said.
"Everybody, thank you for being patient with us. Yesterday was a silent day. I think everyone saved up for today. What an atmosphere to play in front of.
"I've been out here a long time, and I understand what it's like to have to grind and fight because each shot means something.
"The first day, the first shot is just as important as the 72nd hole. They all count the same."
Woods also hit back at his critics, who were suggesting at the start of the year the American would not win a tournament again. "I remember there was a time when people were saying I could never win again.
"That was, I think, what, six months ago?"
Woods was happy with the way the final round progressed and felt he played well. "Well, yeah, I played well today. It was a bunch of guys with a chance on that front nine, and even a few guys pretty far ahead of us made a run. I saw Adam made a run early," the 14-time Major winner said.
"But it ended up being Bo and I with I think the last four holes to go. We basically had separated ourselves, and then after we both made birdie at 15, it was just he and I.
"And then at 16 we both made a couple mistakes there, and 17 was a hole that -- it's rare that we caught any fliers out here at all this week, and Bo caught one coming out of that rough.
"We had a good enough lie where we could have had one of those, but Bo caught one out of there and put it in the wrong spot and made bogey, and I got up-and-down.
"And 18 was -- that was a nice hole. I hit a nice hard fade off the tee, and then I hit a nice sweet little draw in there into the green. It was good to be able to shape it both ways like that."
Van Pelt said Woods was playing the best golf in the world at the moment. "No offense to any of those other guys, but he's the only guy to win three tournaments on tour this year," Van Pelt said.
"On three different golf courses and he was leading the US Open after two days.
"So I'd say that he's playing the best golf in the world right now."
