(Image Source: The Golf Channel)

BY MOLLY HULSEY

After 749 days, Tiger Woods’ losing streak is over.

More than two years after his last tournament win, Woods held a championship trophy once again, as he closed the Chevron World Challenge with two clutch birdie putts to defeat Zach Johnson by one stroke. 

A writer for the Golf Channel says this victory was about Tiger overcoming his most difficult competition - himself.

“Who wasn’t there, who Woods didn't have to beat, is notable. Woods might not have beaten Donald or McIlroy or Westwood, but he didn't beat himself, either. Yeah, this victory comes with an asterisk, but it’s a shiny little asterisk whose sparkle just might light a path to more meaningful victories in 2012."

While the end-of-season tournament - benefiting the Tiger Woods Foundation - isn’t an official PGA tour event, ESPN’s Bob Harig says it’s a major milestone for Woods.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt it gives him confidence. It’s something that hadn’t happened for a long time... I just think it’s a hurdle that he’s passed. He knows that he’s won again. It’s his first win since all of his troubles began really two years ago, and I think it’s something for him to build on."

Fellow golfer and Woods’ close friend Steve Stricker -- warns against reading too much into the win.

From Fox Sports: “‘I don’t know if he’ll ever be able to get to where he was before because he was so dominant,’ he said. ‘...I’m not saying that he can’t. I’m sure he thinks he can get back to that.’”

Still -- Sunday’s finish brought back memories of the old Tiger for CBS Sports’ writer Steve Elling.

“For the first time in forever, nearly everybody had the feeling that Woods would bury the winning putt, just like old times. It seemed like that old sense of the inevitable end was back.”

While the win was important for Woods, a World Golf writer says it was even more important for the sport.

“You could sense the excitement all day, especially [on the] last few holes. There was nothing artificial about it - today was important for the game.”

Tiger wasn’t the only big winner this weekend. Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy also pulled in wins Sunday-- leading an ABC analyst to suggest (quote) “next season could be very interesting.”