MIYAZAKI, Japan (AFP) - Tiger Woods said he was on the way back to his world-beating best after demolishing the field at the Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament for his first title on the Japan tour.
Woods, toppled after more than five years as world number one by Vijay Singh in September, was in fine touch as he carded a three-under-par 67 for a four-round total of 264, 16 under par.
"It's a great feeling. This is one of the biggest tournaments in Japan and the past champions are all big, so it's great to put my name on the list," said Woods, who has 40 wins on the US tour.
"I have come close this year to win a few tournaments and finally got on top. It's such a great feeling, because this is such a wonderful golf course and wonderful venue. To have won here it just makes that more special for me."
He said his performance here was a "great sign" that he is returning to the form which brought him the US top money earner's title five times along with eight major titles.
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing and excited about things that have started to come together the last three, four months. I'm very excited about the prospect for next year," said the 28-year-old.
Starting the final day with a comfortable 10-stroke lead, the American never faced a serious challenge, carding five birdies against two bogeys to finish eight shots in front.
He hit a tee shot to within 60 centimetres (two feet) of the cup on the par-three third hole for his first birdie of the day, and another marvellous approach shot to two centimetres (one inch) of the par-four ninth hole.
For Woods, who has only one title on the US tour this season, it was a welcome victory on his second appearance in the 200-million-yen (1.9 million dollar) event here, which came with a winner's check of 40 million yen (381,000 dollars). He placed eighth in 2002.
Japan's Ryoken Kawagishi hit a 65 for 272 to finish second, ahead of Choi Kyoung-Ju of South Korea, who also shot six birdies against a bogey for 65 to take third place on 274.
Defending champion Thomas Bjorn of Denmark marked a 64 for 277 to finish seventh, while British Open champion Todd Hamilton of the United States was 42nd place tie on 290.
Woods finished 15th in the 1998 Casio Open and lost a sudden-death playoff in the 2001 World Cup with David Duval in his other appearances in Japan.
11/21/2004 - 08:51 GMT - AFP