Zach Johnson has won the World Challenge in California after defeating world number one Tiger Woods in a play-off.
In a dramatic conclusion to the tournament, hosted by Woods at Sherwood Country Club, the duo finished tied on 13-under after the regulation 72 holes.
Johnson had found the water with his approach shot at the 18th but managed to hole his next shot from the drop zone, while Woods got up and down from a bunker to force the play-off.
At the first extra hole, Woods again found sand at the 18th but this time missed a par put from five feet to hand the victory to Johnson.
“You want to end the tournament with someone making a putt,” Johnson said after the miss from Woods handed him his second tournament victory of the year. “You don’t want to see it like that, especially when he has hit a really good sand shot.
“He played great, he didn’t make as many putts as I did. That’s all it really was.
“Everybody talks about going head to head with him. That’s what I want as a competitor, I want to play against the best. He’s the best I’ve ever played with, and I want to put myself in that position.
“I just like to compete and being in those situations where you get into holes you have to execute, you have to hit a shot. I feel very honoured to be the champion.”
Woods was disappointed to lose the play-off but chose to reflect on what has been a successful 2013 for him.
“Five wins, and you know, on some pretty good venues, so I’m very pleased with the year,” he said.
Woods is also looking ahead and is confident of success in the majors after previously winning at Hoylake and Valhalla, which will again host the Open Championship and USPGA respectively, while he also has a good record at Pinehurst, the home of next year’s US Open.
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