Justin Rose, Aronimink big winners of AT&T National

THERE WERE two winners at the AT & T National, which concluded Sunday at Newtown Square's Aronimink Golf Club.

The first PGA Tour event in Philadelphia since 2002 went to England's Justin Rose, who held off former U.S. Amateur champion Ryan Moore by one shot to earn his second victory in a month, 1 week after he had squandered a similar third-round lead at the Travelers in Connecticut.

Rose received just over $1.1 million for his efforts. But it was Aronimink that got so much more out of the week, despite the fact that the tournament's former host, Tiger Woods, was never a factor. At least not on the course.

It didn't seem to make much difference with the paying customers.

Mainly because of his presence, the crowds exceeded 190,000 for the week. The course, which played tough, generated mostly rave reviews from the players, which should ensure that next year's field is even stronger.

And, most encouraging of all, the word is that Aronimink is working very hard to get considered for a PGA Championship, perhaps as soon as 2018. It was supposed to host the 1993 PGA, but had to withdraw because the club did not conform to minority policies at the time.

That's obviously no longer an issue. Apparently, neither is the layout, which the pros deemed major-worthy. So stay tuned. These things don't necessarily happen just like that. But for an area that has been golf-starved for way too long, any news along those lines is a good thing. Particularly on the heels of the U.S. Open coming back to Merion in 3 years, for the first time since 1981. Aronimink did host the 2003 PGA Senior Championship.

As for what was going on inside the ropes . . .

Rose hadn't won in this country until The Memorial in early June. He was in position to get it done again a week earlier, but closed with a 75 to settle for a tie for ninth.

This time he took a four-stroke advantage into the final 18 holes. By the time he made the turn, he was ahead by five, having just made his first eagle of the season. Then he made his first three-putt in 275 holes, and came right back with another on the 11th. The two bogeys made it interesting. But Rose, who hit 16 greens in the final round, finished with seven consecutive regulation pars. That gave him an even-par 70, for a 4-day total of 210. He becomes the third guy in 4 years to lift the AT & T trophy after winning Memorial, joining K.J. Choi (2007) and Woods (last year).

Moore, who seemed like he one-putted everything, came home in 65. It wasn't quite enough.

"I was a little worried about today," Rose said. "I was just trying to stay within my rhythm.

"Obviously, this was an important day for me. I felt like I really did put into play the lessons I learned in Hartford. Still never easy to close these things out, I'll tell you. Probably got a little closer than I should have. Every two-putt felt like hard work coming in.

"Winning on the PGA Tour is a steppingstone to winning major championships. There isn't a much bigger arena than this."

Woods, who was walking off Sunday about the same time Rose was teeing off, started the day at 3-over. He ended it at 4-over. He trailed by seven after one round, by 10 after two and by 13 after three. The final separation was two touchdowns and a pair of conversion kicks.

Still, he was the guy who drew the largest galleries, in his Philly golfing debut.

It's just the fourth time in regular Tour events that he has failed to break par in any round of a tourney in which he played the full 72 or 90 holes. And the first since 1999. He also has done it six other times in majors, most recently at the 2007 Masters. One of those times, he was an amateur (1995 Masters).

"It was a tremendous week for what we're trying to do for the local community and our charitable efforts," said Woods, whose foundation remains the major beneficiary even though AT & T dropped its sponsorship of him during his messy off-course offseason. "We couldn't do that unless a lot of people come out and support our event . . .

"I mean, this is a huge sports town. [The fans] were loud, boisterous and extremely respectful. And that's all any tournament would want to have. We're lucky to have them here."

The AT & T will be back next year for a second and final time before moving back to Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Md.), which is hosting next year's U.S. Open.

Woods now heads to another British Open at St. Andrews (July 15-18), where he won in 2000 by eight and in 2005 by five. He's winless in six starts this year. He did have his best finishes at the first two majors, tie for fourths at the Masters and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he won by 15 a decade ago.

"I can't wait to get over there," he said. "I know what it takes to be ready, and I know what it takes to win major championships [he has 14, but none in 25 months]. Just need to get to that point and put it all together at the right time."

Despite a sore back and problems with his sinuses, West Chester's Sean O'Hair had a 69 for a 278 and a tie for 11th. Like Woods, his putter was not cooperative.

"It's frustrating," he said. "I had a really good ball-striking week and got nothing out of it. I don't think I've ever hit this many lips in a week. All in all, the way I felt on Wednesday, I'm probably happy with it. In the end, it's the same thing. I just got tired."

He will have an MRI exam on the back today, and is reluctantly skipping the John Deere Classic, where he got his first win in 2005. That got him into the British Open, where he tied for 15th in his first major.

Jim Furyk, the other local rooting interest, had a 74 for 282. He missed the cut in Scotland 5 years ago.

Rose, by the way, has never played in a British Open at St. Andrews. Nevertheless, he figures to be among the betting favorites over there, where it's not only legal but highly encouraged. As will a certain bloke who couldn't break 70 here. You might not want to touch the old dial on that one, either. *