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LONDON. – Rarely do UK headlines go to a player finishing second behind a British champion on the PGA Tour, but that was an inevitability in the wake of Tiger Woods finishing runner-up to Paul Casey on Sunday.

Take nothing away from Casey’s brilliant victory at the Valspar Championship, his first on the American circuit for nine years; it was a terrific performance in Florida, providing a long overdue win for the 40-year-old Englishman.

But Woods grabs the limelight because his astonishing resurgence has sent a bolt of electricity through the game. The fact he was in contention at Innisbrook over the weekend generated huge sporting attention around the world.

NBC, who were televising the event in the United States, reported that their third-round figures were up 181% and it was their highest-rated Saturday golf broadcast for a dozen years.

The additional numbers tuning in over the weekend were treated to a breathtaking putting display from Casey – just 21 putts in his final-round 65. But even as he celebrated this much-cherished victory, the chants from the hordes at the course were for Woods.

And as Casey acknowledged, the buzz generated by the 42-year-old – playing only his fourth tour event since recovering from fusion surgery, his fourth back operation – was considerable. – BBC Sport.