Woods is made to sweat before snaring lucky 13

The 31-year-old American's two stroke victory in the U.S. PGA Championship yesterday was his 13th success in the four tournaments that matter and takes him one step closer to his lifetime goal of overhauling Jack Nicklaus' mark of 18.

Just five to go, then, to a total that was once considered unassailable. Such has been the relentless nature of Woods' pursuit, he is four years ahead of schedule given that Nicklaus was 35 when he won his 13th. Let the countdown officially begin.

This final day of the major championship season goes by the moniker of 'glory's final shot' and, as ever, it was Woods who took dead aim.

It was far more exciting, however, than the usual scenario when Woods begins the final round of a major with a three-stroke lead. For that, full credit to the South African Ernie Els and the unheralded American Woody Austin, who both played thrillingly aggressive golf.

Allied to the odd uncharacteristic mistake from Woods, a five-stroke lead after eight holes had shrunk to only one with five to play. They had ensured it wasn't just another steamy day in Tulsa making Tiger sweat.

As ever, though, Woods responded to the pressure by displaying the full measure of his greatness. After the three-putt at the 14th, a pivotal birdie at the 15th.

Now he was in control again, the imperious twirl of the club after good tee shots back in evidence as he stamped his authority over the closing holes. A final round of 69 gave him his fourth PGA success and took him past Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. Only Nicklaus and Walter Hagen have won more.

The gallant underdog Austin pipped Els for second place with a final round of 67, with the latter in third spot after an encouraging 66 that suggested he is rediscovering his appetite for the fight.

It was disappointing that there were no Europeans in with a shout of winning after expectation levels were raised following Padraig Harrington's Open success.

There were, however, two considerable consolations in Justin Rose finishing with a 69 and a fourth top-12 finish in the majors this year. That is quite an accomplishment at the age of 27 and now Rose will spend the next eight months leading up to the Masters trying to find, as he terms it, "the final one per cent."

He said: "I am not trying to reinvent the wheel for next year, that's for sure. It's a fine line and I just have to keep getting a little better."

Then there was the personable Yorkshireman Simon Dyson, who turned in a stunning 64. The Asian Tour specialist - four of his five pro victories have come on that continent - was right at home in these furnace temperatures as he delivered the best round of his career.

This was his first PGA and only his second tournament in America, so to finish on level par and a topsix showing was a tremendous feat. No wonder he said it felt every bit as good as one of his wins.

Looking at the leaderboard and the sight of Woods beginning seven in front of him, Dyson said, smiling: "It's great to be in the clubhouse with a decent score. And if Tiger gets off to a bad start, you never know - no, only kidding."

Dyson has plenty of sporting blood in the genes. His father John played football for Arsenal and Middlesborough, while his uncle Terry was part of Tottenham's 1961 Double-winning team.

"I also have a cousin who is a Davis Cup tennis player and another who is a cricketer, so I guess I was born to do something in sport," he said.

The 29-year-old is a big friend of Nick Dougherty's and, like him, is reaping the benefits of knuckling down and putting his dancing shoes away.

For Darren Clarke, today is the first anniversary of the death of his wife Heather. He reaches this sad date following a tournament that suggests some better days on the course are in the offing.

True, a 74 yesterday was hardly anything to shout about, but middle rounds of 66 and 71 suggested the big man with the huge talent is ready to get back on track.

Clarke's manager Chubby Chandler always thought it would need the passing of this anniversary before his charge started playing well and he might well be right.

If you want to know what sort of man Tiger is, then consider that in the middle of pursuing this title he went up to Clarke on the practice ground and spent 20 minutes talking to him.

"He knew the anniversary was close and it says a great deal about him that he came over to check how I was and ask about the boys," said an appreciative Clarke.

"I have had a year now, done every birthday and anniversary and visited all the places where Heather would have accompanied me. I've done the functions and occasions where we would have been side by side. Hopefully things will get a little easier for Tyrone, Conor and myself and the way forward will become clearer."