Woods' layoff pays off

Tiger wins after 10-week break

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. -- Ten weeks later, nothing has changed with Tiger Woods and the rest of golf.

Woods won the final golf tournament of the year Sunday, closing with a 4-under 68 to match the tournament record at the Target World Challenge and set a record for the largest margin of victory, by seven shots over Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Woods had not played since Sept. 30 at the Presidents Cup, but he didn't show much rust in winning his tournament for the fourth time and becoming the first player to win in consecutive years.

"Doesn't help us, does it?" Colin Montgomerie said of Woods' long break. "If he took a bloody year off, it would help. Never mind 10 weeks."

Johnson closed with a 68, but the only challenge came from Jim Furyk.

Furyk got within two shots after nine holes, but the tournament changed abruptly on the 10th. Woods holed a 12-foot birdie putt, and Furyk three-putted for bogey from 4 feet on a downhill putt.

"Jimmy put a ton of heat on me the front nine," Woods said. "The whole tournament switched on the 10th. That was a big two-shot swing there."

Woods finished at 22-under 266, tying the tournament record first set by Davis Love III in 2000. He earned $1.35 million, which he will donate to his Tiger Woods Foundation. Johnson, shut out at his first Skins Game last month, earned $840,000 for second. Furyk closed with a 71 and finished third, earning $570,000.

More time off

With another trophy in hand, Woods is taking another big break.

Woods said he would not start his 2008 season until he defends his title in the Buick Invitational, making it the third consecutive year he has skipped the winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua.

Woods, who won at Kapalua in 2000 and has never finished lower than a tie for eighth, said he wanted to spend time at home over the next five weeks before gearing up for the new season.

"I enjoy that time off," he said. "Kapalua does a fantastic job, and I've played well out there. I just enjoy the time at home with my family."

The PGA Tour has opened its season at Kapalua every year since 1999, but it has yet to get all the winners from the previous years. Phil Mickelson has not played at Kapalua since 2001 and isn't expected to play this year, although tournament officials haven't heard from him.