Golf: 'Inner peace' the recipe for Woods

A feeling of inner peace was part of the winning recipe for Tiger Woods at last week's British Open, the world No 1 golfer said today.

Playing only his third tournament since the death of his father Earl on May 3, Woods sealed his 11th career major with an emotional two-shot victory over fellow American Chris DiMarco.

"It was a great feeling and I wish you could have it all the time but it doesn't work out that way," the 30-year-old said in his monthly newsletter.

"For some reason, I had just a wonderful inner peace the entire week. I never really got that aggravated and I never got that excited. It was just a nice, level feeling the entire week."

Although chased hard by DiMarco in the final round at Hoylake, Woods was always in control and coasted to his third British Open title with a superb display of precision golf in breezy conditions.

"Come Sunday afternoon when I really needed it, I was able to birdie 14, 15 and 16, but I felt at ease," he added.

"I wasn't pressing all day and I felt a nice, even feeling and it worked out.

"Sometimes it doesn't work out. This time, it did. Pop must have been looking down on me."

Woods, whose father was a lifelong mentor, adviser and friend, had another sign he was destined to lift the Claret Jug for a third time before he teed off in the final round.

"When I went to warm up at the practice range, I hit several yardage signs on the fly," he said.

"I also did that last year before the final round at St Andrews, when I hit the 100-yard marker four straight times and went on to win. This year was similar. My distance control felt great and I was able to carry it over to the course."

Woods romped to victory by five shots at St Andrews 12 months ago to clinch his 10th career major.

Another highlight of his success last week on a par-72 Hoylake layout featuring 94 bunkers was his careful on-course strategy.

He used his driver only once over the four rounds, preferring to maintain control off the tee with two-irons and the occasional three-wood.

"The max (maximum) I hit my driver during my practice rounds was three times, just because the wind was different and it was blowing quite a bit," he said.

"So I got to play the course so many different ways, and each time I kept coming back to one or two drivers, if I felt comfortable doing it. As it turned out, I only used it once, on the 16th hole Thursday.

"Once the tournament stated, I didn't feel I really needed to be that aggressive out there. Just plot your way along and keep making pars.

"The par-fives where so reachable, I knew I could do damage on them and be in contention on the back nine Sunday. As it turned out, I was right. I played them 14-under par."

- REUTERS