Woods clinches seventh PGA Tour win in a row

SAN DIEGO, Jan 29 (Reuters) Tiger Woods carved out another slice of history with a two-shot victory at the Buick Invitational, his seventh consecutive title on the PGA Tour and the 55th of his career.

Only Byron Nelson, with an astonishing run of 11 victories in 1945, has a superior winning streak on the world's biggest circuit.

Two strokes off the pace at the start of the day yesterday, Woods eagled the par-five ninth on his way to a six-under-par 66 and a fifth triumph in 10 starts at Torrey Pines.

The American world number one also rattled up five birdies and one bogey to finish on 15-under 273, one ahead of compatriot Charles Howell III (68).

PGA Tour rookie Brandt Snedeker, surprise leader for the first three rounds, birdied the last for a 71 and third place at 12 under.

Four players held at least a share of the lead on the last day before the tournament was effectively decided over 10 gripping minutes midway through the back nine.

Australian rookie Andrew Buckle, two ahead at 15 under, fell back with a double-bogey at the 12th where he missed the fairway to the right off the tee and overshot the green with his third shot.

FOUND BUNKER Jeff Quinney, tied for the lead with Buckle and Woods at 13 under, ran up a double-bogey six on 14 after finding a bunker with his approach and taking two more strokes to reach the green.

Woods, meanwhile, was sizing up a 65-footer for eagle at the par-five 13th. He very narrowly made the putt, the ball curling around the lip before coming to rest an inch behind the cup.

That took him to 14 under, and into the outright lead for the first time.

Howell almost holed his approach at the par-four 15th, the tap-in for birdie lifting him into a tie for second place with Buckle at 13 under.

Woods parred the next three holes before a superb approach to within three feet of the flag at the par-four 17th earned him his fifth birdie of the day and a two-shot cushion.

Although he found the right fairway bunker off the tee at the last for the third day in a row, he had the luxury of being able to lay up short of the green before pitching on and two-putting for par.

Howell, who reached the 18th green in two, missed a long-range eagle attempt and three-putted to stay two strokes behind in second place.

Reuters DH VP0605