Australian
Adam Scott carded a superb final round of 65 as he swept to victory by four shots in the World Golf Championships (WGC) at Firestone.
The 31-year-old, who led overnight by a single stroke from Ryo Ishikawa and Jason Day, played magnificently on day four, easing away from the field thanks to a bogey-free round and finishing 17-under for the tournament.
Scott was caught four times by Ishikawa and Day, but responded in style each time, shooting four birdies on the back nine.
"It was a good round. I stayed so patient and picked my moments," he said afterwards. "I'm really stoked. To win here in a World Golf Championship is huge.''
His caddie Steve Williams - sacked last month by
Tiger Woods after 13 years and seven WGC titles together - was equally pleased.
"I have been caddying for more than 30 years now. I have won 145 times and that is the best win of my life," he remarked. "A lot has been said this week and it is great to back it up. I back myself as a frontrunner as a caddie and I have won again."
His former employer - playing in his first competition after three months out with injury - finished in joint 37th, a result which he described as encouraging.
"I'm still struggling with my alignment and trusting the fact that the ball doesn't shape as much as it used to," Woods said. "But I'm absolutely encouraged. You have to understand I haven't played. At home playing money games with my buddies is just not quite the same."
With the final major of the year - the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia - taking place this weekend, the big guns of world golf were all hoping for a confidence boost.
World number one
Luke Donald finished in joint-second place with 22-year-old American Rickie Fowler, while 19-year-old Ishikawa and 23-year-old Day ended up one further back in joint-third.
Meanwhile, US Open champion Rory McIlroy carded a 67 to share sixth spot at ten-under, with
Lee Westwood one more behind after an excellent 65.
Afterwards, the 38-year-old from Worksop said he was pleased with his efforts and revealed his confidence is high.
"It's been pretty good the last two days," Westwood remarked. "I've not hit many bad shots and I started to get the hang of the greens. The putting's moving along nicely. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but the way I'm hitting it, the harder it is next week the better."
News brought to you by Golf Online, your online shop for golf equipment including
golf clubs,
golf clothing and
golf balls