Major challenge looms large for Woods

ORLANDO – Now that Tiger Woods has ended his 30-month victory drought on the PGA Tour, the question turns to whether the former world number one can win again where it really counts - in a major championship, starting with the Masters.If it seems a little dismissive of Woods’ victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday to immediately turn the focus to the April 5-8 Masters, well, that is a little bit how Tiger himself reacted on Sunday.Asked where his 72nd PGA Tour victory ranked, Woods said: “It’s not like winning a major championship or anything, but it certainly feels really good.”Woods has long judged other players by whether or not they have won a major, and with 14 to his name he knows all about what it takes to succeed in the ultimate tests for a golfer.But now Woods, who has not triumphed at one of golf’s four majors since the 2008 U.S. Open, has to prove it all again.Sunday’s win at Bay Hill was an important step for Woods as it ended a once-unthinkable barren spell and proved that he has the mental fortitude to keep his cool on a Sunday afternoon and make it over the finish line.The manner of his five-shot win was also important as Woods drove straight, found greens and putted solidly while runner-up Graeme McDowell never really challenged.“I understand how to play Augusta National, and it’s just a matter of executing the game plan,” Woods said after his victory but he knows it is not going to be that simple.

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Major challenge looms large for Woods