And with that – and the customary Tiger Woods grin that followed – the inaugural ZOZO Championship winner all but confirmed he will be a playing captain at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from 9 December.

We’ll have to wait a week for official confirmation that Woods will indeed use one of his four captain’s picks on himself but as he joined Sam Snead with 82 all-time PGA TOUR wins there were other Presidents Cup factors at play at Accordia Golf Narashino Golf Club.

Forced into a Monday finish due to a typhoon that lashed Tokyo on Friday, Woods carved out yet another piece of golf history by playing his final seven holes in 1-under par – capped by a birdie at the 72nd – and recording a three-shot win.

After playing 29 holes on Sunday, Woods returned with a three-shot lead and seven holes left to play, a lead that was reduced to two when he made bogey at the par-4 12th following a wayward tee shot.

A birdie at the par-5 14th restored the seemingly inevitable Woods momentum, parring his way in to keep local hope Hideki Matsuyama at bay with a score of 19-under par, a score made all the more remarkable given he bogeyed each of his opening three holes on Thursday.

The reigning Masters champion, Woods’ return from minor knee surgery in such magnanimous fashion would seemingly ensure he includes himself among the four captain’s picks that will be announced next Monday but there are decisions to be made on both teams that will gather at Royal Melbourne.

Captain Woods spent the final two days playing alongside US Open champion and Presidents Cup hopeful Gary Woodland, behind only Tony Finau and Patrick Reed in the Official World Golf Rankings of US players who have not already qualified.

Billy Horschel did his chances no harm with a top-six finish as the likes of Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar and Kevin Na also wait in the wings.

International captain Ernie Els also has much to consider.

Tied for 21st at the ZOZO Championship with a closing round of 2-under 68, Jason Day is a noted favourite of Els with a history of success at Royal Melbourne while Kiwi Danny Lee backed up his runner-up finish at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges with a top-10 finish in Japan.

Lee’s Korean heritage could also work in his favour as Els has made no secret of his desire to create a united International team.

A winner on the Korean Tour two weeks ago, PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im shot 65 in the final round to finish tied for third, Korean countryman Byeong Hun An three shots further back in a tie for eighth.

Already guaranteed a place on the International team, Aussie pair Adam Scott and Marc Leishman were tied for 33rd and 69th respectively.

PGA TOUR

ZOZO Championship
Accordia Golf Narashino Golf Club, Chiba, Japan

T10 Danny Lee 70-65-68-68—271 $US243,750
T22 Jason Day 73-66-67-68—274 $91,260
T33 Adam Scott 73-67-66-71—277 $51,529
69 Marc Leishman 76-70-69-71—286 $17,355