Woods back to No 1 in the world

Tiger Woods regained his place as world No 1 on Sunday night with a three-stroke victory in the USPGA Western Open in Illinois, his sixth US Tour title in 10 months as a professional.

Woods returned after a week of rest to finish at 13 under par on 275, pulling away from Frank Nobilo of New Zealand, who finished second.

"I won with my mind this week, I really did," Woods said. "I didn't drive the ball particularly well, my iron game was pretty good and my putting came in spurts. It's nice to get in the club-house and win a tournament with your mind like that. That's what wins majors because you're not always going to hit it well."

Woods, who won the Masters by a record 12 strokes, struggled at the US Open and took a break last week. "Rest had a lot to do with it," he added. "Last week, I really didn't do very much, just kind of relaxed, had fun a little bit.

"When I came out this week, I was able to have intensity for all 18 holes, and not have it come in spurts and all of a sudden go lackadaisical. When you're tired, that's exactly what's going to happen because your body and mind can't take it."

He will also skip next week to prepare for his first appearance at the Open as a professional, starting on 17 July at Royal Troon.

In 1997, the 21-year-old Woods has won four titles and more than pounds 1m, reaching $2m in career earnings faster than anyone before. With nearly half of the season to go, Woods is within pounds 15,000 of the full season money record, set last year by Tom Lehman.

Nobilo chased Woods for much of the final round but missed a chip for par on the last hole to end any hope. Americans Justin Leonard, Steve Lowery and Jeff Sluman shared third place on 279.