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DiMarco hails world's best Woods

24/07/2006

Chris DiMarco has praised Tiger Woods after seeing the world number one pip him to the post at Hoylake to claim a third Open Championship and an 11th career major.

DiMarco finished in second place on 16-under-par, two shots behind his fellow American and three shots clear of third-place Ernie Els.

Speaking afterwards, DiMarco admitted he had nothing but admiration for Woods after his faultless performance throughout all four days.

"He's a hard guy to catch, I tell you that," he admitted. "Tiger is great to play with, too. He's got an uncanny ability to, when somebody gets close to him, just turn it up another level.

"I made a great putt on 14 for par, which really pumped me up, and he turns around and birdies 14, 15 and 16. So it's just it's hard to catch him. You've got to give it your all."

DiMarco added that he does enjoy going head to head with Woods but acknowledged that there is a gulf between the world number one and the rest of the field.

"If you can't get up playing the best player in the world in a major, I don't know what else there is. I mean, absolutely. It pumps me up," he admitted.

"I know Tiger said one of the greatest things ever, I don't know how many years ago he said it, that being in contention in a major or in any tournament is like a drug. And it is. It is our drug.

"It is so awesome to be playing well and performing well when everything is on the line. As a player it's the best thing in the world. He does it the best in the world that's why he's number one in the world."

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