MIYAZAKI, Japan – Nov. 23, 2004 – Tiger Woods shot a 3-under 67 Sunday to win the Dunlop Phoenix by eight strokes for his first title since February and first ever in Japan.

Woods, who entered the final round with a 10-stroke lead, carded five birdies against a pair of bogeys at the Phoenix Country Club to finish at 16-under 264. Japan's Ryoken Kawagishi shot a 65 to finish eight shots back, while South Korea's K.J. Choi also shot a 65 to finish third at 6-under 274.

Woods recorded his lone victory this year at the Match Play Championship. The last time he won a stroke-play tournament was in October 2003. "I feel great," Woods said. "To have won on this course and at this event with all the great past champions is a great feeling."

Woods, who led from the first round, recorded his first birdie on the par-3 No. 3 when he hit a 7-iron to 2 feet from the hole. He had back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 before adding two more on the 13th and 16th holes. The $1.89 million tournament is the richest on the Japan tour.

"It hasn't been that long since I won," he said. "The last three or four months I've been close to winning. Going through all the changes I've made with my golf swing, it was just a matter of time." Woods, who relinquished his No. 1 ranking to Vijay Singh two months ago, had gone a career-high 20 stroke-play tournaments without a victory.

He finished eighth in this tournament two years ago. His other appearances in Japan include a 15th-place finish at the Casio World Open in 1998 and a second-place at the 2001 World Cup, when he paired with fellow American David Duval.

Singh beat Woods at the Deutsche Bank Championship in September to take over the top ranking. Woods said he wasn't concerned that a win on the Japan Tour won't be considered important in some circles.

"I'm sure it's not going to be important everywhere," Woods said. "But just the way I played here with four solid rounds is enough for me. I don't worry about sending messages, I'm just very excited about the prospects for next year because of the way I played here."

With the victory in Japan, Woods has won in 10 different countries. "I think it's important to be a world player," Woods said. "That's where the game is going. The reason why we do it is to grow the game of golf. I know it's enhanced my game because you have to play on so many different types of courses."

Source: PGA