Tiger Woods stands off the green and thinks it over. His contemplative approach works as he wins the AT&T National.  BETHESDA, Md. — It wasn’t a major, but the AT&T National at Congressional played like one all week. And with a victory on the course that hosted last year’s U.S. Open, Tiger Woods not only made history, but also looked like his old self again. In front of thousands of fans who came in droves after being barred Saturday because of storm damage, Woods outdueled Bo Van Pelt on the back nine, shooting a 2-under 69 to finish at 8-under 276 and capture his 74th PGA Tour title, breaking a tie for second with Jack Nicklaus and putting him eight behind Sam Snead. It was Woods’ third win of the season, the most on the Tour, and he now sits atop the FedEx Cup standings for the first time in 100 weeks. It was his second AT&T National victory; he won here in 2009. The Golden Bear was 46 years old when he won his last Tour event, the 1986 Masters. “It feels great,” Woods said. “I did it at 36 years old, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”  Tiger Woods wins his 74th PGA tournament. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)  Woods entered the final round tied with Van Pelt (71) one stroke off the lead. But while Woods was steady late, Van Pelt imploded. Van Pelt tied Woods at 8-under after a birdie on No. 11. The two matched each other for the next five holes, both birdieing No. 15 and bogeying No. 16. The tournament was decided on the par-4 17th. Van Pelt blasted his second shot over the green and into the gallery, and he couldn’t get up-and-down for par. Woods played it conservatively and drained a six-foot par putt to take a one-shot lead. He then tapped in a 10-inch par putt on No. 18 to seal the victory as Van Pelt made his third straight bogey. Woods will continue to chase the record he’s coveted his whole career: Nicklaus’ 18 majors. He’s been stuck on 14 since winning the U.S. Open in 2008, sidetracked by injuries and his infamous marital scandal. He will play next week’s Greenbrier Classic before heading across the poind for the British Open (July 19-22) at Royal Lytham & St Annes. “It’s going to be totally different shot-making and prep,” Woods said of the British. “I’m going to play next week, and then I’m going to have to start practicing some different shots and getting used to hitting the ball a little bit lower, a little bit more flighted. It’s a totally different game playing links golf.” Woods will remain at No. 4 in the World Golf Rankings behind Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood. But after Sunday’s win, Van Pelt believes that Tiger is tops. “I’d say that he’s playing the best golf in the world right now,” Van Pelt said.
Tiger Woods won for the third time this year by outlasting Bo Van Pelt in a back-nine duel Sunday in the AT&T National. Woods closed with a 2-under 69 and won for the 74th time on the PGA Tour, moving past Jack Nicklaus and into second place on the tour's career list. He is eight wins away from catching Sam Snead.