Tiger Woods lost in a playoff Sunday after giving up a four-shot final-round lead for the first time as a professional golfer, extending his longest winless streak.

U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell made a birdie putt of more than 20 feet on the 18th hole to tie Woods and then again in the playoff to win the Chevron World Challenge at Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“Probably two of the great putts I’ve made,” said McDowell.

Despite losing the four-shot lead, Woods was poised to win his final event of the season. Tied for the lead playing the 18th hole at Sherwood Country Club, he stuffed an eight-iron inside 3 feet for a sure birdie. But McDowell answered with his all-or-nothing birdie putt and tied Woods at 16-under 272.

In the playoff on the same hole, McDowell coaxed in another birdie putt from about 25 feet. Woods had a 15-footer, but it missed just right of the cup.

Woods had never previously lost after entering the final day of a tournament with a lead of at least three shots. He hasn’t won since the Australian Masters 13 months ago and last claimed a title in the United States at the BMW Championship in September 2009.

Woods shot a final round of one-over 73; McDowell shot 69. England’s Paul Casey (69) was third, four strokes back.

More golf: Maria Hjorth won the LPGA Tour Championship at Orlando, shooting par 72 in the final round for a one-shot victory over Amy Yang. Hjorth finished at five-under 283. Yang, the third-round leader, shot 74. … Lee Westwood maintained his year-end No. 1 ranking with an eight-shot victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa. The Englishman shot a four-under 68 to finish at 17-under 271.