Tiger Woods claims victory at AT&T National to overhaul Nicklaus

A nightmare round for Brendon de Jonge handed advantage to Tiger Woods as he saw off a late challenge from Bo Van Pelt to secure a win at Congressional course.

Tiger Woods clinches victory at the AT&T National tournament in Maryland

MARYLAND, USA // Tiger Woods held firm to beat Bo Van Pelt to the AT&T National title at Congressional and move ahead of Jack Nicklaus to second on the all-time list of PGA Tour winners.

Woods began the day one shot back of overnight leader Brendon de Jonge, but went two under for an eight-under-par total as the Zimbabwean fell apart.

De Jonge had a nightmare round of six over par to finish in a share of 11th on one under, leaving Van Pelt, the other member of the final threesome, as Woods' closest challenger.

And after both men bogeyed the 16th, it was neck and neck with two holes to play.

But Van Pelt could not hold it together, dropping a further shot at each of the final two holes, allowing Woods to seal a Tour-leading third title of the year by two strokes with a pair of pars.

It was Woods' 74th PGA Tour win, moving him clear in second and ahead of Jack Nicklaus.

The only man ahead of him is Sam Snead, who won 82.

Van Pelt was level for his final round to finish second on six under, one clear of Australia's Adam Scott.

The win came at the end of an unusual week, as the tournament was played for the most part in stifling heat and on Saturday, following the storms that battered the mid-Atlantic, no fans were admitted on to the Maryland course for safety reasons.

Woods, who is also the National's host, said: "What an incredible week.

"Everybody, thank you for being patient with us. Yesterday was a silent day. I think everyone saved up for today. What an atmosphere to play in front of."

Woods immediately targeted more tournament wins after passing Nicklaus on the PGA list.

"I've had a pretty good career," he said. "To do it at 36, I feel like I have a lot of years ahead of me.

"I've had a number of good years in my career so far, and I feel like I've got a lot more ahead of me."

Scott's 67 was equal best round of the day and would have been even better but for bogeys at 14 and 15.

Last year's champion Nick Watney was level today to finish 10th overall on two under, one ahead of De Jonge and Scotland's Martin Laird, who leapt up 16 places with a 69 on the final day.

England's Brian Davis was one of a number of men who had a day to forget - his six-over 77 saw him finish in a share of 49th on eight over.

He was far from the worst, though - Vijay Singh carded an 81 and Patrick Cantlay an 82.

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