Woods, once the most dominant golfer on the planet, came back from the abyss -- a sex-scandal, drop to No. 58 in world rankings -- to return to the summit that was once almost his personal property. He dropped outside top-50 as he dealt with a crisis in his personal life and injuries to his left leg.
Last week Woods announced he was dating Olympic ski champion Lindsey Vonn. And this week he is No. 1 in the world. Again.
It was apt that Woods should walk off the 18th green waving his putter over his head for that was his magic wand this week at Bay Hill.
He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard for the eighth time to tie a PTA TOUR record that had not been touched in 48 years.
"It's a byproduct of hard work, patience and getting back to winning golf tournaments," said Woods, whose latest girlfriend, Lindsey Vonn, tweeted "Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!" moments after his win.
In two weeks' time, Woods will try to end his five-year drought in the Majors at the year's first Major at the Masters.
Rickie Fowler pulled to within two shots with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole, but after he and Woods made bogey on the 15th, Fowler went at the flag on the par-5 16th and came up a few yards short and into the water.
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