Tiger Woods won his first event for two years at the Chevron World Challenge, finishing birdie-birdie to see off rival Zach Johnson on the 18th hole.
Woods was one behind overnight leader Johnson going down the 17th but sunk a 15-foot birdie putt to draw level.
Johnson missed his birdie attempt on 18 before Woods drained a six-footer to clinch his first title since the Australian Masters in November 2009.
Paul Casey closed with a 69, like Woods, to finish third on five under.
“It feels great,” said a jubilant Woods after his spectacular finish ended a run of 26 tournaments without a victory.
“It was a lot of fun coming down the stretch. Zach put a lot of pressure on me. He turned the tide [with birdie on 16], next thing I am one down playing the last couple of holes. Then I made two good putts.”
Fourteen-time major winner Woods’s three-under-par 69 at Sherwood Country Club meant he secured the 95th tournament win of his career and his first in the United States since the BMW Championship in September 2009.
Woods’ world ranking plummeted from number one to 52nd while he struggled with fitness and form and his private life imploded.
And asked to describe his feelings after ending his lengthy title drought, the 35-year-old replied: “It feels awesome, whatever that is.”
Johnson, seeking his first victory since last year’s Colonial Invitational, was left to curse his form on the greens after closing with a 71.
The World Challenge event was founded by Woods and his charitable foundation in 1999 as a fundraiser.
Woods, who has now won it five times, lost in a play-off last year to Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell.
