Tiger Woods ends disappointing season sans title

Tiger Woods, once the world’s top golfer but who fell to No. 2 in the world rankings, concluded the season without winning a single title.

Adding insult to injury, he lost in the final round of the Chevron World Challenge, a tournament he hosted, in California Sunday after blowing a four-stroke lead for the first time.

At Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, he led through the third round at 17 under. The tournament was an unofficial event but a win could have allowed him to open next year on a high note.

Victory eluded the troubled 35-year-old American golfer, however. Woods lost to Northern Ireland`s Graeme McDowell, who won this year`s U.S. Open. Woods committed two bogeys in lieu of two birdies on the front nine and a double bogey on the 13th hole (par 5) to finish the round at one over-73.

McDowell rallied to post a 16-under 272 and force a playoff.

In South Africa, Lee Westwood of England, who surpassed Woods to top the world rankings, won the Sun City Challenge of the South African Tour Monday, consolidating his lead.

uni@donga.com