Worldwide Golf

TIGER Woods sent out an omminous warning to his rivals ahead of the The Open Championship by claiming his 68th PGA TOUR title at the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club.

The World No. 1, who hosts the tournament in Maryland, shared the overnight lead with Anthony Kim but took the title by a stroke from Hunter Mahan after firing a final-round 67 for a 13-under total of 268. It was his third win of the season, having also claimed titles at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Jack Nicklaus' Memorial, and sees him in great shape heading into the third major of the season at Turnberry this month.

Mahan made a valliant effort with a course-record equalling 62 which had him in a tie for the lead until Woods pulled away with a huge 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th, which ultimately proved the difference.

"This golf course is not easy and we only have basically one real birdie chance coming in, which was 16," said Woods. "At the very end it started going left and it was like, 'Oh God just don't lip out now'. It went in."

Mahan commented: It was kind of in Tiger's court there. The first three days were a little ugly. I swung great all week but today the putting was great. I'm just really proud of the way I finished."

Having failed to take he spoils in either the Masters or the U.S. Open this year, Woods will now focus his energies on success at Turnberry.