Tiger Woods took one more step toward what golf historians have said is impossible -- equaling Bryon Nelson's record of 11 straight PGA titles -- by winning his seventh tournament in a row -- the Buick Invitational at the Torrey Pines links in San Diego, Calif.

Woods started the day two shots off the pace but caught front-runners Andrew Buckle and Jeff Quinney, both of whom are tour rookeis, when he drained a 25-foot eagle putt on the ninth hole. He set up the eagle with a 276-yard 3-wood. Woods finished off a late challenge by Charles Howell with a birdie on the 17th then took his fifth Torrey title with a par on the 18th.

It gave him a 6-under 66, the best score all week on the demanding South Course, site of the U.S. Open next year. Nelson's record often has been thought to be untouchable, which now describes the world's No. 1 player.

"As far as how special seven is, you're in elite company," Woods said. "There's only one person ahead of you. He's one of the greatest legends in the history of the game. To be in company like with Mr. Nelson ... it's pretty special."

This is the second time Woods has made a run at Nelson, who died in September.

Woods won six straight in 2000, a streak that Phil Mickleson stopped at Torrey Pines. But against a cast of challengers short on experience or victories, Woods met little resistance in winning at Torrey Pines for the fifth time in 10 tries.

Woods believes his winning streak ended when he lost in the first round of the HSBC World Match Play Championship last September, a European tour event. The PGA Tour record book only reflects its own tournaments.

All that matters to Woods is his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus¡¯record 18 professional majors. Woods has won two majors during his PGA Tour streak, taking him to 12 for his career.

"My whole goal is to get ready for Augusta and make sure my game is peaking toward that," he said.

Asked if he would rather have a record winning streak or another Masters victory, Woods didn't hesitate.

"A fifth green jacket," he said.

Woods got some help from Buckle and Quinney, both of whom had at least a share of the lead on the back nine until stumbling in a span of about 15 minutes on a cool, breezy afternoon at Torrey Pines. Each took double bogey to quickly take themselves out of contention, leaving only Howell to challenge Woods.

Howell, who played with him at the 2003 Presidents Cup, nearly pulled it off. He made three birdies in a four-hole stretch and had a 50-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to force a playoff, but he played it too high over the ridge and three-putted for par and a 68.

"I gave him a run," Howell said. "Anytime you try to win a tournament against that guy, it's tough. I played well down the stretch. He just never flinched."

Brandt Snedeker, the 26-year-old rookie who opened the tournament with a 61, was tied for the lead with Buckle going into the final round but didn't make a birdie until the ninth hole. He shot 71 to finish third. Buckle (72) was in the group another shot back.

"It was a great learning experience for me," Snedeker said. "I got to play behind Tiger Woods and watch him do what he does best."

Woods' streak resumed after a nearly four-month break from the PGA Tour, when he won by eight shots in the American Express Championship outside London on Oct. 1. He skipped the season-ending Tour Championship and the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship, and learned that his wife was pregnant for the first time.

One thing that hasn't changed is his golf.

The PGA Tour winning streak dates to his victory in the British Open last July, and Woods is now 124-under par during that stretch. More impressive to him is that since missing the cut at the U.S. Open, he has not finished worse than second in stroke-play tournaments.

Editor: Donald