TIGER WOODS made history by winning his 82nd PGA Tour event to match a record that has stood for a whopping 54 years.
The Masters champ, 43, won the Zozo Championship in Japan just two months after a FIFTH operation on his left knee.
Woods, who won his first PGA Tour event in Las Vegas in October 1996, finished on 19 under par at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club after starting the storm-delayed fourth round with a three-shot lead over home favourite Hideki Matsuyama.
There was no play on Friday because of a storm that put the course underwater – and Woods was clattered in the head with a microphone.
But he never looked like taking his foot off the gas when matters were in his hands thanks to some precision iron play and red-hot putting.
Woods, who could be a playing captain in December’s Presidents Cup, has now reignited talk of taking down Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 Major haul – especially after his heroics at Augusta in April took him to 15.
This is the eighth time Woods has won his first PGA Tour event of the season.
And he has gone on to win a major in five of seven of those years.
This is also the 25th time in 25 attempts he has won a tournament after holding a three-shot lead going into the final round.
But it is the PGA Tour win record that Woods – who is targeting Olympic gold next year – now shares with ‘Slamming’ Sam Snead.
Late legend Snead, who died in 2002 aged 89, was given credit for his record-setting total in 1965, when he also became the oldest player in PGA Tour history to win at age 52.
For comparison, Phil Mickelson is the only other active golfer to make the top ten of the PGA Tour all-time win list with 44 titles to his name.
Woods said: This is big. Hideki made it tight. It was a lot closer than people thought.
This is just crazy, its a lot. Ive been able to be consistent most my career and put myself up there a number of occasions. Today was one of those I pulled it out.
It was definitely stressful.
Physically I cant do any of the things I used to. Four back surgeries body cant do what it used to but I can think my way round the golf course.
I dont hit the ball as far compared to the field but I can still manage my way round a course and I know how to play.
There was a point where I didnt know if I would play again and I just hoped to walk again, I know how it feels to have this game taken away from me.
Im so happy and fortunate to have this opportunity again.
