Woods captures PGA
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

TULSA, Okla.- In his greatest victories, Tiger Woods dominated the field and left the competition feeling deflated.

This time, the dissection was more cruel - he actually let 'em hang around for a while.

The world's best player won the PGA Championship for his 13th career major victory Sunday, not by pulling away, but instead by hanging on after his lead dwindled from five to a single stroke for a moment on the back nine.

Then, as soon as his closest challengers were feeling glimmers of hope and golf fans were settling back down on their couches - Yank! - Woods ended it in his efficient, methodical way.

''I felt like I was in control of the tournament,'' he said.

He moved to 13-0 when leading a major going into the final round, one of the best closers sports has ever known. The final act of this unbearably hot week at Southern Hills was less a piece of art than a model of perseverance.

For pure dominance, watch the replay of the second round Friday, when he took the lead for good with that record-tying 63. On Sunday, Woods came in with a game plan that he failed to follow to the letter. Of course, he also came in with a three-stroke lead that nobody could overcome.

''I kept telling myself going to the next hole that I need to bear down and get things done, place the ball correctly,'' Woods said. ''But I'm still in control of the tournament. I still have the lead.''

This year's trivia answers were three-time major winner Ernie Els, who proclaimed before the round that he'd bet his house on Woods if he were a fan and not someone charged with trying to beat him. Els finished third.

And journeyman Woody Austin, who spent the week talking about how missed opportunities in the early rounds would bury him and was proven exactly right. Still, he showed an unexpected amount of resolve to finish second.