Zach Johnson beat world number one Tiger Woods in a play-off to win the World Challenge in California.
Tiger Woods was the tournament host at Sherwood Country Club and aiming to win his sixth tournament of the year, although this was not an official PGA Tour event.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, a two-time winner of the competition, was highest-placed European on five under in the 18-man event.
Woods, world number 1 and Johnson, the world number 16, finished the regulation 72 holes on 13 under par.
Woods carded a final-round 70 while Johnson fired four birdies in his last eight holes for a closing 68.
“You want to end the tournament with someone making a putt,” Johnson said after the miss from Woods handed him his second tournament victory of the year. “You don’t want to see it like that, especially when he has hit a really good sand shot. He played great, he didn’t make as many putts as I did. That’s all it really was.
“Everybody talks about going head to head with him. That’s what I want as a competitor, I want to play against the best. He’s the best I’ve ever played with, and I want to put myself in that position.
“I just like to compete and being in those situations where you get into holes you have to execute, you have to hit a shot. I feel very honoured to be the champion.”
For Woods, it was only the fourth time in his career that he lost a lead of at least two shots going into the final round, but reflecting on 2013, he said: “Five wins, and you know, on some pretty good venues, so I’m very pleased with the year.”
“I’ve won at every one, except for Pinehurst, and I’m trending in the right way,” the 37-year-old world number one said. “I’ve finished third, second. You get the picture, right? So I’m looking forward to the major championship venues next year. They have set up well for me over the years and I look forward to it.”
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