The anticipated head-to-head between Rory Sabbatini and Tiger Woods never materialised in Sunday’s final round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Sabbatini, one ahead going into a rain-sodden day at Firestone Country Club, struggled with his swing and slipped back into a tie for second place after closing with a four-over-par 74.
Woods, producing the second bogey-free round of the week on a brutally tough layout, cruised to an eight-shot victory with a superb five-birdie 65.
Although the two players had indulged in verbal sparring earlier in the year when Sabbatini suggested the world number one was ”as beatable as ever”, barely a word was exchanged between them in the day’s final threesome.
”Everyone knows how Rory is,” Woods told reporters after claiming his 58th PGA Tour career title and fourth this season. ”I just go out there and just let my clubs do the talking.
”I felt if I could just keep putting the pressure on him, keep hitting fairways, keep hitting greens, keep giving myself a lot of looks at them, I could put a lot of pressure on him because he didn’t look all that comfortable with his swing.”
Totally outplayed
The outspoken Sabbatini, who has made no secret of his desire to go head-to-head with the world number one, conceded he had been totally outplayed in the final round.
”Tiger played exceptional golf out there,” the South African said. ”Every time he got in trouble, he made some miraculous shots.
”I was not very happy with the way I played out there today. I made a lot of mental errors, and I just put myself in some bad positions.”
Sabbatini, twice been beaten by Woods this year after enjoying a one-stroke advantage going into the final round, was asked if he planned to be less vocal in the future.
”Why?” he replied.
His questioner then suggested such tactics would only motivate Woods more.
”Well, good, I hope I inspire him,” Sabbatini said. ”I hope I inspire him and play well enough that I can give him a good challenge.
”I’ve just got to keep doing the same thing I’ve been doing, except in the final round just get my job done. I haven’t done that the last two times.
”Today was especially frustrating because even though I looked like I struggled out there, I hit a lot of good, quality golf shots. I spent too much of the day trying to hack the ball back out of the fairway, and it made a long day.” – Reuters