Short but sweet: Tiger's '08

text size

Even though it wasn't long, Tiger Woods' 2008 PGA TOUR season was certainly exciting. Woods won four times this season, including his spectacular U.S. Open win earlier this month.

Gross/Getty Images

Win 1: Buick Invitiational, Torrey Pines, Jan. 24-27
• Leaderboard | • Tiger's Scorecards | • Video: Sunday Recap

A 10-foot birdie on the 18th on Sunday gave Woods a 1-under 71 and an eight-shot victory, the ninth time in his career that he has won by at least that many. It earned him a fourth straight title at Torrey Pines, a third straight PGA TOUR victory and congratulations from the King.

It was his 62nd career victory, tying him with Arnold Palmer for fourth place on the all-time PGA TOUR victory list.

"I'm sure that there are many, many more coming in the future," Palmer said.

Badz/PGA TOUR

Win 2: World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, The Gallery at Dove Mountain, Feb. 20-24
• Results | • Tiger's Scorecards | • Video: Sunday Recap

With a record-breaking victory in the Accenture Match Play Championship, Woods captured his 15th World Golf Championships event and held all three world titles for the first time.

Fellow American Stewart Cink was the victim at Dove Mountain, where Woods overwhelmed him with 14 birdies in 29 holes for an 8-and-7 victory, the largest margin in the 10-year history of this tournament. "I think maybe we ought to slice him open to see what's inside," Cink said. "Maybe nuts and bolts."

Condon/PGA TOUR

Win 3: Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, Bay Hill, March 13-16
• Leaderboard | • Tiger's Scorecards | • Video: Sunday Recap

Tiger Woods made a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole Sunday to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard by one shot, extending his PGA TOUR winning streak to five and keeping intact a perfect season in golf.

In his biggest challenge since this streak began seven months ago, Woods outlasted 45-year-old Bart Bryant and won with a birdie putt on the final hole for the first time in seven years. He turned and slammed his cap to the ground, letting out a roar to celebrate his 64th career victory, tying Ben Hogan at No. 3 on the PGA TOUR's career list.

Pensinger/Getty Images

Win 4: U.S. Open
• Leaderboard | • Tiger's Scorecards | • Video: Playoff recap

With a throbbing knee and a pounding heart, Tiger Woods made one last improbable escape Monday and won the U.S. Open in a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate, his 14th career major and maybe the most amazing of them all.

One shot behind after a collapse no one saw coming, Woods birdied the 18th hole to force sudden death at Torrey Pines against a journeyman with a creaky back who simply wouldn't go away.

But that one extra hole was enough to doom Mediate, trying to become the oldest U.S. Open champion at 45 years, 6 months.