Tiger keeps on winning Woods' seventh straight comes at Buick Invitational

Tiger Woods is more interested in a fifth green jacket at the Masters than 11 straight victories on the PGA Tour.

At this rate, he might have a chance to get both.

Woods resumed his improbable pursuit of Byron Nelson with a predictable result at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines in San Diego yesterday, winning for the third straight year to stretch his PGA Tour winning streak to seven. That's the second-longest streak in tour history behind Nelson in 1945, and there is little evidence anyone can stop him.

"It ain't easy beating that guy," said Charles Howell III, who certainly tried.

Woods caught up to the pack with a 3-wood from 276 yards to set up a 25-foot eagle putt on the ninth hole. He buried the hopes of his final challenger with a 9-iron to 2 1/2 feet on the 17th hole for birdie. His final act was figuring out how to get his ball out of a small hole in front of the 18th green, hitting it with the edge of his sand wedge to 3 feet for a par and a two-shot win.

It gave him a 6-under 66, the best score all week on the demanding South Course, site of the U.S. Open next year. Nelson's record often has been thought to be untouchable, which now describes the world's No. 1 player.

"As far as how special seven is, you're in elite company," Woods said. "There's only one person ahead of you. He's one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. To be in company like with Mr. Nelson . . . it's pretty special."

This is the second time Woods has made a run at Nelson, who died in September.

Woods won six straight in 2000, a streak that Phil Mickelson stopped at Torrey Pines.

The only question is the veracity of the streak - Woods failed to win once in Europe and twice in Asia during his run - and when he will resume his chase of Nelson's mark.

Woods believes his winning streak ended when he lost in the first round of the HSBC World Match Play Championship in September, a European tour event. The PGA Tour record book only reflects its own tournaments.

All that matters to Woods is his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record 18 professional majors. Woods has won two majors during his PGA Tour streak, taking him to 12 for his career.

"My whole goal is to get ready for Augusta and make sure my game is peaking toward that," he said.

Asked if he would rather have a record winning streak or another Masters victory, Woods didn't hesitate.

"A fifth green jacket," he said.

Woods left for the Dubai Desert Classic - an 18-hour flight - and said he wasn't sure if his next PGA Tour event would be the Nissan Open at Riviera in Los Angeles that starts Feb. 15, or the Accenture Match Play Championship in Tucson, Ariz., a week later.

Woods finished at 15-under 273 for his 55th career victory, and the fifth time he has started a season by winning.

In other tournaments:

* At Kahuku, Hawaii, Fred Funk had the most lopsided victory ever in a 54-hole Champions Tour event, shooting his second straight 8-under 64 for an 11-stroke win in the Turtle Bay Championship.

* At Doha, Qatar, South African star Retief Goosen won the Qatar Masters, eagling the final hole for a 3-under 69 and a one-stroke victory over Nick O'Hern. *