DiMarco amazed by Tiger feat
24/07/2006 - 07:35:50Chris DiMarco today hailed Tiger Woods’ ability to find another gear when it matters after again coming off second best to the world number one.
Woods secured his 11th major title and third British Open Championship with a two-shot victory over a gallant DiMarco at Hoylake.
The pair also contested a play-off for the US Masters in 2005, Woods making a 15ft birdie putt on the first extra hole to claim the green jacket.
DiMarco was the only player to pose a concerted threat to Woods on the final day of the British Open, twice getting within a shot of the lead only for Woods to bounce back with a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th.
“He’s got an uncanny ability, when somebody gets close to him, to just turn it up another level,” conceded DiMarco, who also lost a play-off for the 2004 USPGA championship at Whistling Straits.
“I made a great par putt on 14 which really pumped me up and he turns around and birdies 14, 15 and 16. It’s just hard to catch him.
“I know Tiger said that being in contention in a major is like a drug, and it is. It is awesome to be playing well when everything is on the line. He does it the best in the world and that’s why he’s number one in the world.”
DiMarco got off to a poor start yesterday with a bogey on the first after a bad drive, but he birdied the sixth to be out in 35 and also picked up shots at the 10th, 13th and 16th.
The roar from the crowd which followed the last of those birdies forced Woods to back off his own birdie putt on the 15th, but he then coolly holed from eight feet to edge two shots clear.
A birdie on the 16th then effectively sealed victory, although DiMarco birdied the 18th to card a closing 68.
DiMarco’s display was all the more commendable given the death of his mother, Norma, on July 4, and he added: “I know my mom would be very proud of me right now. One for playing well, but two just because that’s how she was. I miss her and love her and that’s the hardest part, that I know I’ll never see her again. But I know if I close my eyes I see her.
“I know my dad is going through a hard time right now but there is a lot of family support. This doesn’t change anything, it just makes it a little more therapeutic. It just helps knowing that she was a big part out there today, and I know I’ll have her with me the rest of my life.”
DiMarco collected £430,000 (€630,000) for second place but also 360 Ryder Cup points to lift him from 21st to sixth in the American team standings.
“I had a lot on the line today,” added the 37-year-old from Florida, expected to partner world number two Phil Mickelson at the K Club in September.
“I was trying to win, obviously, and trying to get major points for the Ryder Cup. Hopefully this will get me in.”
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