MIAMI (AFP) - Tiger Woods captured the WGC-Cadillac Championship at the Blue Monster course Sunday with a closing round of one-under 71 for a two-shot victory over runner-up Steve Stricker.

Woods earned his 76th career PGA Tour win and posted his second victory of the year as he steps up his game ahead of the upcoming Masters tournament in April.

Woods sank his final putt, picked up the ball and put it in his right pocket and then waved his black cap to the crowd on No. 18.

"I played well this week," Woods said. "It was one of those weeks where I felt good about the way I was playing and got things rolling." Woods improved to 40-2 with the outright lead going into the final round on the PGA Tour, as he maintained his lead over a star-studded leaderboard on Sunday to finish at 19-under 269.

It also marked the 17th career WGC victory for Woods, though it was only his first in four years. He has not won a major in five years but hopes to change that with a win in the 77th Masters running April 11-14.

Stricker closed with a four-under 68. But despite the impressive rally, he couldn't make up the difference between himself and Woods. Stricker finished runner-up once before this season.