Dominance: The best of Tiger Woods
By Bill Felber
8. 2007 WGC Bridgestone
Dominance: 2.96
Woods was often at his best in WGC events. That was certainly the case at the 2007 WGC Bridgestone at Akron’s historic Firestone layout.
Woods came to Firestone as a two-time defending champion, having beaten Chris DiMarco by a shot in 2005 and then edged out Stewart Cink in a 2006 playoff. There would be no such drama in 2007.
A Thursday 68 left Tiger in a thick tie for third, one stroke behind co-leaders Hunter Mahan and Rory Sabbatini. Firestone toughened on Friday, but Woods and a few others were able to master it. He shot 68, leaving him in a tie with Kenny Perry and Scott Verplank for second, two behind Zach Johnson.
Following a Saturday 69 he began final round play one stroke behind Sabbatini, but two up on the rest of the field.
On Sunday, Sabbatini never had a chance. While he stumbled to a 74 and a tie for second, Woods methodically showed his best. His 65 blew open an eight-stroke gap back to Sabbatini and Justin Rose, assuring him of the $1.35 million first prize for the third straight year.
Against the field average of 290.55, his 272 was 2.96 standard deviations superior.