Dozen wins

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photo: AFP

WORLD number one Tiger Woods won his 12th major championship with a superb five-stroke victory at Medinah.

The 30-year-old American, who started the day tied for the lead at 14 under with England's Luke Donald, shot a four-under 68 for an 18-under total.

Shaun Micheel, the 2003 champion, claimed second after a three-under 69.

Donald carded a two-over 74 to finish a shot back on 12 under alongside Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Australia's Adam Scott.

But the only story that really counted on Sunday at the Illinois course was Tiger's.

Woods' 12th victory in one of golf's four major championships means he now trails only Jack Nicklaus' haul of 18 wins.

The Californian superstar has reached his dozen in 40 attempts -- it took the Golden Bear 48 majors to bring up his 12th win.

This was also the 12th time out of 12 that Woods, perhaps the best front-runner in world sport, has converted a 54-hole lead at a major into victory.

It is also his third USPGA triumph, his second at Medinah, and third straight tournament win, following his successes at the Open last month and the Buick Open earlier this month.

So complete was Woods' mastery that by the back nine the only issue in doubt was whether he would set a new record for the lowest score under par in major history.

Having got to 19 under after 11 holes, the same score he managed at St Andrews in 2000 to set the record, it seemed another entry in the record books was his for the taking.

But a bogey at 17 stopped his charge and he was forced to settle for merely matching the USPGA best he set with Bob May in 2000.

Afterwards Woods was as modest and gracious in his interviews as he had been bullying and relentless during his round.

"I didn't feel as comfortable as I looked," he said. "I made some bombs on the greens, putts you probably shouldn't make.

"I just had one of those days and honestly was just trying to get the ball on the green.

"Starting the day it could have gone any which way and winning on this course, against this field, I feel very fortunate."