Woods beats Montgomery in playoff

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Posted 3:04PM on Monday, May 20, 2002

HEIDELBERG, Germany - Tiger Woods parred the third sudden-death hole against Colin Montgomerie on Monday and won the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open for the second straight year. The two finished tied after 72 holes at 268. Woods shot a final-round 68, while Montgomerie had a 3-under 69. Both missed the green on the final hole of regulation, and Woods needed an 8-foot putt for par to force the playoff. Woods had a chance to win on the first playoff hole, but his 14-foot birdie putt lipped out. Both players also parred the second playoff hole. Woods then won with another par on the third hole when Montgomerie drove into a bunker and hit his next shot into the lake. Woods earned $410,222 for his victory. Montgomerie won $273,480. It was Woods' third win in four years in the German event. He also won in 1999 and 2001. Justin Rose was third, a stroke behind, with Greg Owen fourth, two shots further back. It was the 44th victory of Woods' career and his 16th in 34 events on the European Tour. He stretched his record in playoffs to nine wins and two losses. Montgomerie has won only once in 14 sudden-death playoffs. "It was a fun week to hit the ball like this," he said. "I wish I could do this all the time." Montgomerie has never won a tournament with Woods in the field. But the American paid tribute to the Scot's tenacity. "He is a great champion, whether he has won a major or not," Woods said. "Monty was obviously not exactly feeling his best, but he is a true champion and fought the entire round. It was a great battle going head-to-head with him -- and a lot of fun." Montgomerie has been taking painkillers for a back problem and said he almost pulled out before the final round. "If I had been 2-under-par rather than leading, I wouldn't have been here," he said. "It was a good effort considering my physical condition. I'm very proud to go out there and shoot 69. That was a real effort. "In the playoff, my back was getting far too sore and that's why I was hooking it. But at the end of the day, the best man won."