TIGER Woods sounded an ominous warning to his rivals for this month's US Open in New York with a vintage display in winning the Memorial tournament by one shot on Sunday.
The American world No1 clinched the title for a record fourth time, hitting every fairway at Muirfield Village Golf Club in the final round before clinching his 67th PGA Tour victory with a superb seven-under-par 65. It was his second title this ye
ar in seven starts on the US circuit and silenced critics who had argued Woods was not back to his best after being sidelined for eight months while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.
The US Open will be held from 18-21 June at Bethpage's Black Course in New York where Woods will start as the overwhelming favourite. Not only did he win the US Open when it was last held at Bethpage in 2002 but he will be defending the title he won last year in a play-off at Torrey Pines outside San Diego.
"It was nice to play this well going into the US Open," said Woods after shooting the best score in the final round by two shots. "This is how you have to hit it in order to win US Opens, especially Bethpage. That golf course is as big as they come. You have to hit the ball well all week. I did that in 2002."
Four strokes off the pace going into the final round at Memorial, Woods sealed victory with a thrilling birdie-birdie finish on arguably the course's two toughest holes.
"I really controlled my flight and felt in control with shaping the ball both ways," he said. "I didn't really have a problem hitting it either way. That's when you know you feel like you're in control of what you're doing."
