Woods hangs on for Wachovia victory

CHARLOTTE – Tiger Woods stumbled on the back nine but still hung on to win the $6.4 million Wachovia Championship by two strokes on Sunday.

“This week I didn’t really have my best stuff,” Woods told reporters after securing a battling victory over fellow American Steve Stricker in testing winds on the demanding Quail Hollowa course. The world No.1 used a three-hole purple patch on the front nine to build a three-shot lead at the turn, and had the luxury of double bogeying the par-three 13th without surrendering the lead.It was far from his most impressive performance, but he still carded a closing 69 to finish at 13-under-par 275, recording his 57th victory on the PGA Tour, and third in six starts this year.Stricker (69) held on to finish second, despite a double bogey at the 16th and a bogey at the last, with a birdie at the 17th wedged in between.Phil Mickelson (70) and third round leader Rory Sabbatini (74) tied for third, four strokes behind Woods.Nampa-ReutersThe world No.1 used a three-hole purple patch on the front nine to build a three-shot lead at the turn, and had the luxury of double bogeying the par-three 13th without surrendering the lead.It was far from his most impressive performance, but he still carded a closing 69 to finish at 13-under-par 275, recording his 57th victory on the PGA Tour, and third in six starts this year.Stricker (69) held on to finish second, despite a double bogey at the 16th and a bogey at the last, with a birdie at the 17th wedged in between.Phil Mickelson (70) and third round leader Rory Sabbatini (74) tied for third, four strokes behind Woods.Nampa-Reuters