Woods Beats Wright by 2, Wins Section Golf Title

PALM SPRINGS —  Two years didn’t make much difference for Tiger Woods at Canyon Country Club.

As he did as a freshman in 1991, Woods shot a four-under-par 68 Monday and won the Southern Section golf title by two strokes over Chad Wright of Buena.

Woods, of Western High in Anaheim, said he has been tinkering with his swing.

“I’m pleased at the way I’m playing,” Woods said. “I got worse before I got better, and now I’m starting to come out of it. I’m starting to peak at the right time.”

Woods had five birdies--including one on a 25-foot putt to finish his round--and one bogey on the 6,869-yard course.

Wright, a senior from Buena, started his round with three birdies and finished two shots behind Woods at 70. Wright, who will play next season at USC, said finishing behind Woods is hardly a rarity--and he is not taking it personally.

“I’ve been second quite a few times to Tiger in some of the L.A. tournaments,” Wright said. “He’s such a great player, he has so much talent.

“He’s a great target to shoot at. He’s the best player in the nation and being second to him, well, that isn’t all bad.”

Kyle Emerson of Riverside J.W. North and John Lee of Placentia Valencia were the only others under par at 71.

The top 28 qualified for the CIF-Southern California Golf Assn. tournament June 7 at Stockdale Country Club in Bakersfield.