Woods back in comfort zone with victory

THOUSAND OAKS – Two years after his own indiscretions sent his life into turmoil, Tiger Woods returned to the winner’s circle on Sunday – and found it felt just as it always had.

‘It feels great,’ said Woods, the 14-time major champion who had not won a tournament since 2009 until capturing the US$5 million Chevron World Challenge on Sunday.Woods had been on a win drought since revelations of his secret sex life in November of 2009 left his reputation in tatters, put his marriage on the path to divorce and sent sponsors fleeing.Amid the uproar, Woods’ game suffered and his struggles continued in 2011 as he battled to cement swing changes despite injuries that limited his playing time.’I know it has been a while, but also for some reason it feels like it hasn’t,’ Woods said. ‘Because when I was coming down the stretch there, I felt so comfortable.’Was I nervous? Absolutely,’ Woods added. ‘Always nervous in that position. But it’s a comfortable feeling and I enjoy being in that position. For some reason, it is kind of a comfort to be in there with a chance to win.’Woods said he had felt it building as he took an early lead in the Australian Open last month. He finished third, but it was a solid prelude to a strong performance in America’s Presidents Cup match-play triumph.Woods, host of the 18-man Challenge event for the benefit of his charitable foundation, had led after 36 holes on Friday at Sherwood Country Club.After he slipped one behind Zach Johnson in a wind-whipped third round, all eyes were on Woods to see if he could finally finish out a victory in the style that once made him a cross-cultural superstar.Woods duly delivered, with a birdie-birdie finish that erased a one-shot deficit and sealed the victory.A year ago, Woods held a four-shot lead over Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell after the second and third rounds here, but finished runner-up in a playoff.Now it remains for Woods get a ‘W’ in an official full field event – perhaps even his first major since he won the 2008 US Open despite serious leg injuries.’I feel pretty good going into next year,’ Woods said, laughing as he added: ‘I think if I have a good year I should be on the ballot for Comeback Player of the Year, so I’m excited about that.’Woods said this week he has yet to confirm his schedule for 2012, but he has entered the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on January 26-29.Before then, he said, he’ll give himself a bit of a break.- Nampa-AFP