Tiger Uncages 65 To Win Memorial

Tiger Woods caps off yet another historic comeback with a 65 on Sunday to win the Memorial Tournament by one shot over Jim Furyk in his final tuneup before next week's U.S. Open. (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

It's all part of the script on the PGA Tour, and has been since 1997. After all, what's the buildup to a major championship without a patented Tiger Woods comeback a couple of weeks before the major?

Eldrick is back once again, and the rest of the Tour is once again on notice after Tiger's impressive display at Muirfield Village yesterday, firing a final-round 65 to win the Memorial Tournament on Jack Nicklaus' course with a 12-under-par total of 276, good enough for a one-stroke victory over 2003 U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk as the world's best prepare for another go at Bethpage Black, where Woods won the second of his three U.S. Opens in 2002.

"I was close to winning, but the game wasn't quite there when I needed it on Sunday," said Woods of his struggles this year. "I rectified that."

Nothing could be closer to the truth after yesterday's final round, where Woods hit every fairway and holed out with a chip shot on 11. Woods saved his best for last when his approach on 18, a 7-iron from 183 yards away, landed inches from the cup, giving the world No. 1 a tap-in birdie to put the exclamation point on a day that started with him four shots off the lead.

Next up is Bethpage, where Woods is the reigning champion both on the course and in the championship, as he won the U.S. Open last year in a gritty and inspiring performance at Torrey Pines with his now-legendary torn ACL. Tiger will be looking for his 15th major, and Nicklaus has already declared him the favorite next week in Long Island.

"I suspect No. 15 will come for Tiger Woods in about two weeks," said the Golden Bear, who still holds an 18-14 advantage over Tiger in major wins. "If he drives the ball this way and plays this way, I'm sure it will; and if not, it will surprise me greatly."

Woods was also looking ahead, praising his effort by saying that "this is how you have to hit it in order to win U.S. Opens."

Number four in golf's national championship could be just thirteen days away.