WOODS WILL TO WIN TAKES OVER; WESTERN OPEN FIELD WATCHES TIGER AT BEST.

Byline: Clifton Brown New York Times

As the victories increase, the mystique does, too.

Tiger Woods played a round of golf Sunday that displayed many of his remarkable gifts - savvy, mental toughness, length off the tee and a flair for the dramatic.

When the final round of the Motorola Western Open started, at least 15 players had a legitimate chance to win. But when the day ended, Woods stood alone on top, showing again that when he senses victory, he is like a shark that smells blood.

Shooting a four-under-par 68 for the round and finishing 13 under par for the tournament (275), Woods won by three strokes over Frank Nobilo before an enthusiastic crowd at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club.

The first-place check of $360,000 pushed Woods' career earnings to $2,551,627, and he has won $1,761,033 this year, making him almost a cinch to break Tom Lehman's season money-earning record of $1,780,159, set last year.

Winning his fourth tournament this year, Woods re-established himself as one of the favorites to win the British Open this month, if there was ever a doubt. And Woods loved the way he won, using patience and perseverance whenever he faced trouble. In an emotional scene, the huge gallery followed Woods down the 18th fairway as he made his triumphant walk toward the final green.

``I won with my mind this week,'' said Woods, who will take a week off to get ready for the British Open, which begins July 17 at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. ``I didn't drive the ball particularly well. My iron game was pretty good, and I putted in spurts. It's nice to win a tournament like that, because that's what wins majors. You probably hit the ball worse in majors because of sheer nerves. It's nice to be able to rely on your mind.

``I had to play very patient golf. I was in the rough a lot. I had to be very patient until I had an opportunity to be aggressive. And when I had that opportunity, I took advantage.''

The tournament turned in Woods' favor for good at the par-3, 192-yard No. 14, where he made the day's most dramatic shot, nearly a hole in one. Woods hit a 9-iron shot off the tee that landed perilously close to the right bunker. But this was his day. The slope of the ground kicked the ball back toward the hole, across the green from right to left, and it rolled slowly toward the hole as the crowd roared. The ball stopped less than a foot away from the hole. As Woods walked down the hill and saw just how close he had come to an ace, he shook his head and smiled. He tapped in for a birdie, taking a one-shot lead over Nobilo, who was two holes ahead at 11-under par.

Woods then gave himself a two-stroke cushion by making another birdie on the par-5 No. 15. With his length off the tee, the par-5 holes gave Woods an advantage all week, because he usually reached the green in two shots. This was no exception. Using a driver and a 4-iron, Woods reached the back fringe of the green about 35 feet from the pin, chipped to within five feet, then tapped in for birdie.

TIGER'S TALE OF THE TAPE

Sunday's earnings: $360,000

1997 earnings: $1,761,033, almost $20,000 away from the PGA single-season record.

'97 Tour wins: 4 (Western Open, Masters, Byron Nelson Classic and Mercedes Championship) in 13 appearances. This decade, only three other golfers have four tour victories in a season.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO (color--no caption) Tiger Woods

Allsport

BOX: TIGER'S TALE OF THE TAPE (see text)