Tiger Woods [Images], in his first tournament of the year, clinched a record fourth Buick Invitational title in a three-way playoff on Sunday.

The world number one parred the second extra hole, the 227-yard 16th, to edge out 2002 champion Jose Maria Olazabal who missed a par putt there from just four feet.

Australia's Nathan Green dropped out at the first extra hole, the par-five 18th, after running up a bogey-six.

The trio had finished the 72 regulation holes on 10-under-par 278 on the South Course at Torrey Pines, Woods and PGA Tour rookie Green carding 72s and Spaniard Olazabal closing with a 69.

It was the fourth playoff in the event in nine years.

"It was bunched out there and quite frankly I probably shouldn't have been in the playoff," Woods told reporters after securing his 47th PGA Tour victory. "I wasn't putting that well.

"But the guys weren't running away with it and I just hung in, hung in there. The conditions were a little difficult today.

"It's a nice place," added the US Masters and British Open champion, whose previous wins at Torrey Pines came in 1999, 2003 and last year. "I've been playing here since I was 12 and I really enjoy coming here.

FEELING COMFORTABLE

"There are not too many golf courses you play where you feel very comfortable, and that's what I feel here."

India's Arjun Atwal, who missed a five-foot birdie putt at the last to miss out on a playoff spot, tied for fourth at nine-under 279 after signing off with a 71.

Level with Atwal were Americans Jonathan Kaye, who birdied the last five holes for a 68, John Rollins (69) and Lucas Glover (71).

U.S. PGA champion Phil Mickelson, also bidding for a fourth victory at the Buick Invitational, had to settle for a share of eighth place at eight under after returning a 73.

Level with Mickelson was joint overnight leader Sergio Garcia, who battled to a seven-bogey 75.

The last day turned out to be a slug-fest with tough pin positions and the heavyweight trio of Woods, Garcia and Mickelson initially all falling back.

At one point, eight players were tied for the lead.

Olazabal, after bogeying the opening par-four, made the first significant run with four birdies over the next eight holes to hold a share of the lead at 10 under.

EARLY MOMENTUM

Woods, who has never finished outside the top 10 in nine Buick Invitational starts, failed to build early momentum.

A stroke off the pace overnight, he missed short par putts on four and five before picking up his first shot at the par-four seventh.

Another bogey followed on 11 before he collected his second birdie of the round at the par-four 12th, rolling in an eight-foot putt to move briefly into a share of the lead with seven others at nine under.

Moments later, Green moved ahead when he holed a wedge approach from 77 yards for an eagle-two at the par-five 13th, the ball bouncing a yard beyond the cup before screwing back.

Two ahead of the chasing pack at 11 under, the Australian faltered when he missed a four-foot par putt at the 15th.

He did well, though, to salvage his par at the 227-yard 16th. After finding the left greenside bunker off the tee, he blasted out and coolly holed a 10-foot putt to stay one ahead at 10 under.

The mounting pressure finally told on Green, however, when he bogeyed the par-four 17th after failing to reach the green in two and missing an eight-foot putt.

At this point, Woods was also at nine under after offsetting a birdie on 13 with a bogey-five on 14, where he three-putted from 37 feet.

Woods, Green and Olazabal all birdied the final regulation hole, however, to set up a gripping finish to the PGA Tour's fourth event of the season.