It's possible to make a single mistake and still beat Woods, if the course and conditions are just so. But more often than not, Woods counters a near-flawless performance with his own near-flawless performance that's one better. He did it in 2001, the last time he birdied the 18th hole at Bay Hill to win by one, over Phil Mickelson. He did it at the 2000 PGA Championship, when he outlasted the gritty veteran Bob May. (What is it about those gritty veterans who refuse to wilt in the presence of Woods?)
And now he's done it again.
The final putt broke about four feet left-to-right and gave Woods his second straight 66. It was a master stroke that impressed Palmer, who was watching from behind the green and nodded his head and laughed; mesmerized TV viewers, no matter how much they expect such theatrics by now; and apparently moved even Woods himself, even after an entire career of breathtaking finishes.
"You know, when Stevie handed me my hat," Woods said, "I was like, 'How in the hell did he get my hat?' Evidently it came off. I don't know how it came off, but it came off."
It came off because Woods pulled it off. Again.
