Tiger Woods equals Snead's 'crazy' 54-year-old record for US PGA Tour wins

Tiger Woods made golf history Monday when he won the Zozo Championship in Japan for his 82nd US PGA Tour victory -- equalling Sam Snead's 54-year-old record and adding to his long list of achievements.

The 15-time major winner held off the challenge of home favourite Hideki Matsuyama to win by three shots at the weather-delayed tournament, his first outing since arthroscopic left knee surgery in August.

Woods broke into a huge smile after he birdied the 18th to complete a three-under final round of 67 and finish 19-under par at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.

"It's just crazy. It's a lot," the 43-year-old Woods said of his 82nd official PGA Tour victory. His first came 23 years ago this month in Las Vegas, when he was 20.

"It's been a long week, five days at the top of the board is a long time. It was definitely stressful," said Woods, who pocketed a cheque for ?1.755 million.

Woods led from gun to tape in the inaugural US PGA Tour event in Japan, which saw Friday's play washed out by the fringes of a typhoon that dumped almost 10 inches (25cm) of rain on the course 50 miles (80km) from Tokyo, forcing play into an extra day.

"It's about consistency and doing it for a long period of time," Woods said of tying Snead, who died in 2002 four days before his 90th birthday.

"Sam did it into his fifties and I'm in my early to mid-forties. I've been very fortunate to have had the career I've had so far."
"He doesn't fancy ties too much. So he's already on to: 'How do I get to 83?'"
- 'Pretty special' -
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"It was a very long week because I was tied for the lead for the better part of five days. I made a mistake right away at 11 and it became a pretty good ball game."
"The ball-striking exhibition I've seen the last two days is a joke. So I don't see him stopping anytime soon. Eighty-two's pretty special. I think there's a lot more in store."