TIGER WOODS made a breathtaking start to the 1997 season on the USPGA Tour by capturing the Mercedes Championship in a play off at Carlsbad, California yesterday. When persistent rain forced the cancellation of the fourth round, the tournament was decided by sudden death between Woods and Tom Lehman, who were joint leaders after 54 holes.

The manner of the play off emphasised the remarkable talent of the 21 year old, who made hiss professional, debut only last August. As it happened, Lehman seemed more conscious of the pressure when sudden death got under way in a downpour, at the 188 yard seventh.

First to play, the British Open champion failed to carry the water with his tee shot. So, it seemed that a safe, bogey four might be enough to secure victory for Woods. To gasps of amazement from the large, rain lashed gallery, however, he hit a stunning six iron to within a foot of the pin for a tap in birdie.

It gave him his third US professional victory, following on the Las Vegas Invitational last September, when he beat Davis Love in a play off, and the Walt Disney Classic a month later. Top prize of $216,000 also brought him the record for the quickest $1 million in tournament earnings.

Starting with $2,544 for a share of 60th place in his debut event at Milwaukee fast August, Woods passed the $1 million mark ($1,006,594) in only his ninth tournament. The previous record was set by South Africa's Ernie Els in as many as 27 tournaments in 1995.

"My main ambition for the year is to make the US Ryder Cup team, said Woods afterwards.