Tiger Woods celebrates after his approach shot onto the 18th green during the final round of the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament in Thousand Oaks, California, Dec 5, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Tiger Woods' bid to end a tumultuous year with a victory at his World Challenge fell short, but Graeme McDowell predicted the US star will again be a dominant force in golf - and soon.

"He used to appear invincible," McDowell said.

"Of course he has made himself appear more human in the last 12 months... but there's something a bit special about his golf game and I fully expect that mystique to return as the golf clubs start doing the talking again."

McDowell was excited to see Woods' progress as well.

"I'm definitely a guy who says that golf needs Tiger Woods and we need him back to winning tournaments," McDowell said. "Just great to see him back playing great again this week.

"I thought he controlled his ball really well the last couple of days ... didn't do a huge lot wrong," McDowell added. "Obviously I was trying to go out there and do my job today, but he'll be back winning tournaments very soon."

Said Woods: "We - we meaning Sean and I - know the direction we need to go. That's exciting.

"I hit some good shots this week and I played really well for most of the week. The middle part of the round today was an exception, but, boy, I thought I did some good things this week."

AFP