Tiger Woods: a hero and champion in Thailand
By ROBERT HORN Associated Press Writer
BANGNA, Thailand - A beaming Tiger Woods won the Asian Honda
Classic by 10 strokes Sunday, receiving an embrace from his mother
on the 18th green while a crowd of some 3,000 fans chanted his
name.
With no competition down the stretch, Woods was smiling and
doffing his cap the last few holes, the first time he could enjoy
such a luxury since he turned professional last year.
"I knew my swing wasn't working well," said Woods,
whose his every drew applause. "I made some bad shots out
there, but I made some key putts and that's what wins golf tournaments."
Woods closed with a 4-under-par 68 for a total of 20-under
268. He earned $48,000 for the victory plus an appearance fee
of $480,000 from the $300,0000 tournament near Bangkok.
Kultida Woods, the golfer's mother who was born in Thailand,
hugged her 21-year-old son after he parred the final hole while
the gallery broke into a chant of "Ti-GUH, Ti-GUH."
Woods had five birdies during the final round and nearly eagled
the fourth hole. He had a bogey on the 17th hole when a drive
sliced into the water.
Woods, whose closest rival was Mo Joong-kyung of South Korea
at 278, was asked what advice he had for Thai golfers.
"Always keep the game fun," he said. "Obviously
golf is a very serious part of my life, but when you stop having
fun at it, that's when it's time to hang it up."
Woods was presented with a royal decoration by Prime Minister
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh at a reception Sunday night.
With his mother at his side, Woods accepted the honor for helping
promote Thailand's image and credited his parents for his achievements.
He said his father, Earl, did not come to Thailand because he
was preparing for heart surgery.
"Papa, I love you," he said. "Tonight is special.
It shows what happens when two loving people really care and share
with a child. Without their teaching, without their love, quite
honestly, I wouldn't be here."
After the reception, Woods left to catch a flight to Melbourne,
Australia, where he will compete in the Australian Masters starting
Thursday.
Sharing third place at 279 at the Thai country Club were Mexico's
Carlos Espinosa, Taiwan's Chang Tse-peng and Canada's Jim Rutledge.
Rutledge closed with a 63, breaking the course record Woods set
two days earlier by one stroke.
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