ORLANDO, Florida — Tiger Woods won the weather-hit Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill for an eighth time Monday to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2010. Woods, who collected his 77th career PGA Tour win and third in five starts this season, shot a final-round two-under 70 for a 13-uner 275 total that left him two shots clear of runner-up Justin Rose (70). A ferocious storm halted play after two holes Sunday but an unruffled Woods returned to work under brilliant blue skies Monday to finish his final round with five birdies and three bogeys. With the victory, Woods returned to the top of golf's world rankings for the first time since October 2010, replacing Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy. Looking like his old imposing self, Woods' eighth win at “Arnie's Place” ties him with World Golf Hall of Fame member Sam Snead for most victories at a single PGA Tour event. Woods' bid to regain the world No. 1 ranking was halted Sunday after violent thunderstorms hit the Bay Hill Club. After assessing damage by the powerful storm the PGA Tour announced the final round would resume Monday. “We just got so much rain and wind, we've got some bunker problems, we've got a lot of standing water. That is the main thing,” Mark Russell, PGA Tour vice-president of rules and competitions, told reporters Sunday. “It just got to the point where we weren't going to be able to get the golf course ready. “They're going to go out now and work till dark and then do the same thing at daybreak and try to get ready to play.” Woods on Sunday had rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt on the second hole to open up a three-shot cushion when warning horns were sounded to evacuate the course, sending spectators and players running for cover. Heavy rains and violent winds, reported at over 50 mph, soon followed, ripping branches from trees, cutting off power and turning Bay Hill into one massive water hazard. With the Sunday forecast calling for heavy rains, PGA officials were questioned on why they did not try to beat the storm by sending players off both the first and 10th tees. Recari edges Kim for second Tour win In California, Spain's Beatriz Recari rolled in a birdie on her second playoff hole to edge Kim In-kyung and capture the Kia Classic Sunday for her second career LPGA Tour victory. The 25-year-old Recari, who started playing golf at age 11, earned her only previous LPGA Tour title at the 2010 CVS LPGA Challenge. “It was hard down the stretch,” Recari said. “I had a birdie on 16, then after that this (18th) green was tough. “I really, really have to thank my family and my coach. It's really special to get my second win.” Both players made bogey on the final hole of regulation Sunday to set the stage for the playoff which was equally mistake-prone. South Korea's Kim shot a closing one-under 71, while Recari finished regulation with a two-over 74 at the Aviara Golf Club. They both finished at nine-under-par 279. The pair returned to the 18th tee for the playoff and each landed in the short grass off the tee. Recari pulled her second shot into the chipping section left of the green. Then Kim did the same. Recari hammered her third shot seven feet past the cup and Kim left her birdie effort nine feet shy. Kim missed the putt to the left, leaving Recari with a chance to win. But Recari missed her par chance well right of the hole. They both tapped in for bogey and returned to the 18th tee for a second chance at a winner-take-all hole. Kim and Recari both found the fairway off the tee again. Recari's second shot almost sailed into the water right of the green, but stopped on the fringe. Kim's approach stopped over 30 feet short of the flag. Kim missed her birdie putt left of the hole. Recari then poured in her birdie from off the green for her third international victory. Pornanong Phatlum bogeyed 18 to miss the playoff by one. Phatlum shot a closing four-under 68 to end at minus-eight. She tied with Cristie Kerr (71) and Mo Martin (69). Aussie Karrie Webb (74), Jane Park (71) and Lizette Salas (72) shared sixth place at seven-under-par 281. — Agencies
