| AP Sports Headlines |
Woods had fun in skins match
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press Writer
HANNO, Japan (AP) -- Tiger Woods didn't mind being an also-ran -- this time.
In fact, also-ran was a compliment of sorts.
Woods arrived at the Musashigaoka Golf Course Saturday to the cries of "Woods-san" and "Tiger!" He left joking that he was "sick and tired of that 18th hole."
The American star played the 534-yard, par-5 18th hole seven consecutive times today, with Japan's Shigeki Maruyama finally taking the last $200,000 at stake in the $600,000 skins competition.
"I can't reiterate how much fun I had today," said Woods, who finished last in the four-man event with $110,000.
Maruyama went from last to first with his winning birdie.
"It's like getting an early Christmas present. I'll buy you guys a dinner tonight," said Maruyama, a second-year pro who has emerged as the heir apparent to Jumbo Ozaki as Japan's top golfer.
Mark O'Meara earned $170,000, and Nick Price took home $120,000. O'Meara was eliminated on the third extra hole, and Price dropped out on the fourth.
The Japanese fans roared when Woods walked toward Maruyama to congratulate him. The two shook hands and patted each other on the back.
"I'm so happy I could play with such a superstar," Maruyama said.
Thousands of fans arrived hours before the competition to watch Woods as he prepared to play. The spectators took pictures of the 21-year-old star, commenting with their friends on every shot.
"He's just great," said Aki Okamoto, a hospital employee. "I enjoyed watching him play from such a short distance."
Woods, who will play Sunday with a group of Asian junior champions, won four PGA Tour titles this year -- including his record-breaking victory in the Masters -- and earned a tour-record $2,066,833.
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