UPDATE 3-Golf-Woods clinches Arnold Palmer Invitational win

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By Simon Evans

ORLANDO, Florida, March 16 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods produced a superb 24-foot putt for a dramatic birdie on the final hole to claim his ninth win in 10 tournaments at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.

World number one Woods went into the 18th hole level with fellow American Bart Bryant on nine-under-par and looked set for a play-off.

Journeyman Bryant, ranked 137th before this event, had kept the pressure on Woods throughout with a consistent round of 67 but was left to watch a perfect putt for victory -- Woods's seventh successive worldwide.

Woods celebrated with a punch of his fist and threw his cap to the ground before picking the ball out of the hole with the massed ranks of fans cheering his success.

"It was just a great day. I hit the ball well all day," said Woods who had struggled to find his form in the opening two rounds and who had been down in 20th place, seven shots off the lead on Friday.

"I was trying to get the speed right, trying not to leave myself a second putt and it went in," said Woods of his winning stroke.

But the 32-year-old said he was more pleased with his drive to the green where, with the wind changing direction, he opted for a five iron and found the green and his chance of that tournament-winning birdie.