TIGER WOODS, playing only his fifth tournament as a professional, beat Davis Love III at the first hole of a sudden death play off yesterday to win the Las Vegas Invitational.

Woods (20) started the day four shots adrift of Ronnie Black, while Love held second place overnight.

He carded an eight under par 64 in the fifth and final round, then parred the first play off hole as Love took bogey from a greenside bunker.

The victory gives Woods a two year exemption for regular USPGA Tour events, and qualifies him for the season opening Tournament of Champions and all major tournaments in 1997.

The $297,000 first prize lifted him from 131st into the top 40 on the US money list with $437,194.

Woods turned professional in August after winning an unprecedented third straight US Amateur title.

He has a five year clothing endorsement deal worth $40 million and a three year, three $3 million equipment deal.

Relatively unknown Black had jumped into a one shot lead going into the final round with a six under par 66 on Saturday.

The 38 year old Black, who entered the tournament 123rd on the USPGA Tour's money list, began three shots behind third round leader Rick Fehr, who ballooned to a one over 73.

Black got moving early, starting his day by nearly holing his approach. He hit a pitching wedge to within two inches of the cup and tapped in for a birdie.

He then two putted for a birdie on the par five third hole and sank putts of 20ft and 18ft for birdies on four and six respectively, to make the turn at four under.

Love was alone in second at 22 under 265, while Fred Couples and Dave Stockton Jr were another shot back at 266.

Love did nothing spectacular but managed to stay out of trouble most of the day and birdied: two of the final four holes to get within a shot of Black's lead.

Couples had a chance to be in the lead but parred the par five 16th when he might have had a chance for eagle. He put his approach shot into the lake guarding the green and had to get up and down for par.