HOYLAKE, England, July 23 - Tiger Woods completed one of the best ball-striking weeks of his career to retain his British Open title with an emotional two-shot victory over compatriot Chris DiMarco on Sunday.

	Tiger Woods of the U.S. celebrates with the claret jug trophy after winning the British Open Championship at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake July 23, 2006. [Reuters]

One stroke clear at the start of the day, the 30-year-old American birdied three of the last five holes at Royal Liverpool for a five-under-par 67, sealing his 11th career major.

Although chased hard by DiMarco, Woods was always in control and coasted to his third British Open with a superb display of precision golf in breezy conditions.

Shaping the ball as required and putting beautifully, the world number one became the first player to lift the Claret Jug two years in a row since fellow American Tom Watson at Royal Birkdale in 1983.

Having romped to his second Open title by five strokes at St Andrews 12 months ago, the game's leading player completed a successful defence at Hoylake with a 72-hole total of 18-under 270.

"I don't know where to begin," an emotional Woods told a news conference after sealing victory in only his third event since the death of his father Earl on May 3.

"I'm excited and worn out, just so many different emotions to describe right now because it all came pouring out on 18.

"My father has meant so much to me and the game of golf and I just wish he could have seen it one more time."

Woods, who moved into second place alongside fellow American Walter Hagen in the all-time major standings behind only Jack Nicklaus (18), was delighted with the quality of his play.

BEST BALL-STRIKING

"As far as control, that was probably one of the best ball-striking weeks I've ever had," he said.

"That's shaping the ball, moving my trajectory and different heights and really controlling my spin going into the greens."

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