Tiger Woods completed one of the most incredible comebacks in sporting history to win an emotional 15th Major Championship by one shot at the Masters Tournament.
Tiger Woods completed one of the most incredible comebacks in sporting history to win an emotional 15th Major Championship by one shot at the Masters Tournament.
The American’s last Major title came at the U.S. Open 11 years ago and since then he has undergone numerous back surgeries, falling to 1,199th in the Official World Golf Ranking just 17 months ago.
A return to fitness and form in 2018 hinted at what was to come, and a closing 70 at Augusta National Golf Club secured a fifth Green Jacket at the scene where he burst onto the world stage in 1997.
Woods' record 12 shot victory 22 years ago set in motion a remarkable run of dominance at the top of the game, and the 43 year old will now once again have his sights set on Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Major Championships, after following Nicklaus to become just the second player to win the Masters in three different decades, and to win Major Championships 20 or more years apart.
After sinking his final putt, Tiger punched the air and roared with elation, before he made his way to his mother, children and girlfriend for an emotional embrace to chants of "Tiger, Tiger" in unprecedented scenes around the famous 18th green. Following vicitory, he said:
“It’s just unreal. The whole tournament has meant so much to me over the years. Coming here in '95 for the first time and being able to play as an amateur, winning in '97, and then coming full circle, 22 years later, to be able to do it again, and just the way it all transpired today.
“There were so many different scenarios that could have transpired on that back nine. There were so many guys that had a chance to win. The leaderboard was absolutely packed and everyone was playing well. You couldn't have had more drama than we all had out there, and now I know why I'm balding. This stuff is hard.
“Just to come back here and play as well as I did. This has meant so much to me and my family, this tournament, and to have everyone here, it's something I'll never, ever forget.”
Woods had been two shots clear standing on the 18th tee, but despite a bogey on the last, wild celebrations followed his final putt, which took him to 13 under par and one ahead of countrymen Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele, who was making just his second appearance at The Masters.
Overnight leader Francesco Molinari had been right in the mix before finding water twice on the back nine, and the Race to Dubai Champion finished at 11 under par alongside Australian Jason Day and Americans Tony Finau and Webb Simpson.
Spain’s Jon Rahm was then one shot further back in a tie for ninth place alongside Americans Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson.
Image: Getty Images
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