Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits out of the 18th hole bunker during the third sudden death hole of the WCG Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament in Akron, Ohio yesterday. Woods defeated Stewart Cink on the fourth playoff hole. - Reuters

AKRON, (Reuters):

Firestone specialist Tiger Woods won his fourth consecutive PGA Tour title with a protracted playoff victory over fellow American Stewart Cink at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational yesterday.

As late afternoon rain swept across the course, the world number one triumphed by sinking an eight-foot birdie putt at the fourth extra hole where 2004 champion Cink found the front greenside bunker with his approach.

Woods had a chance of sealing the win on the previous hole but left a par putt from a similar distance an inch short. Cink ran his own par attempt there a couple of feet past the cup.

The pair had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 270, Woods carding a two-under 68 and 2004 champion Cink closing with a 69.

"I was very lucky to even be in a playoff," Woods told reporters after clinching his fifth victory at Firestone Country Club in seven starts and the 52nd PGA Tour title of his career.

Woods has claimed 11 individual WGC titles in 21 starts and his winning streak over the last six weeks includes last month's British Open and the PGA Championship seven days ago.

He now lies joint fifth with Byron Nelson (52) in the all-time standings for PGA Tour victories with only Arnold Palmer (62), Ben Hogan (64), Jack Nicklaus (73) and Sam Snead (82) ahead.