Mark O’Meara must surely want to place 1998 in a bottle and cork it for posterity after following his victories in the Masters and Open with a remarkable win in the Cisco World Match Play Championship.
The 41 year old, ranked No3 in the world, overcame world No1 Tiger Woods in a pulsating, glorious final at the sun-drenched Wentworth Club to become the first American champion since Corey Pavin in 1993.
O’Meara holed from off the green for the birdie at the 36th hole of an epic encounter which enthralled the galleries to finally extinguish the competitive fire of his young friend and rival.
It was one of the great finals in the 34 year history of the event as the two Florida neighbours attempted to put friendship on the back burner for the day.
From the start, all the ingredients were there for an epic collision of two heavyweight golfers. And it was Woods, the 1997 Masters champion, who landed the first punches, winning the first three holes to have the slow-starting O’Meara on the ropes. The 22 year old was twice four up in the morning round, but O’Meara stuck to his task and went in to lunch three down. Then the sparks really flew.
O’Meara had ended 17 years as a professional without a major by landing the Masters at Augusta National. Three months later he became the Open champion at Royal Birkdale. Now, to climax his momentous season, O’Meara gradually ground down the world No1, going to the turn in 31 in the afternoon - matching the score of Woods in the morning - to be all square.
It might have been one up to O’Meara but Woods played an exquisite approach to the ninth, leaving the ball just inches from the hole for a cast-iron winning birdie. From then on it was cut and thrust. Woods won the 10th with a two; O’Meara responded with an eagle three at the 12th. O’Meara then made a two at the 14th but lost the 15th where he drove into trees.
The turning point came at the 16th. Woods, six feet away in two, three putted while O’Meara holed from long range for a par after a wayward drive. Now O’Meara was one up with two to play.
Woods conjured up a miraculous birdie at the 17th to keep the final alive, holing from 10 feet. Both players bunkered their drives at the last but Woods was close in three while O'Meara was 18 feet away just off the front edge. Then, as he did at Augusta, O’Meara’s putt of pefect line and strength toppled into the hole for a birdie four and the two great friends hugged each other before O’Meara accepted the trophy.
He admitted: "That was a lot of fun, playing the best player in the world and a very close friend. I feel very fortunate to come out on top. I knew Tiger wouldn’t let up and my drive and three iron for a birdie at the first in the afternoon gave me some momentum. I didn’t expect him to three putt the 16th and if I’d missed at the last I’m sure he would have made his."
Woods, gracious in defeat, joked: "He’s been taking my cash in friendly matches all year and he’s done it again! The turning point for me was the 16th."
