Share

Tiger turns back the clock, roars to Masters glory

Augusta - Tiger Woods completed an epic "full circle" comeback from career-threatening injury and scandal by winning the 83rd Masters on Sunday, capturing his 15th major title with an unprecedented back-nine rally.

Ending an 11-year major drought, the 43-year-old American superstar - who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017 due to chronic back pain - seized his first major title since the 2008 US Open.

"It's overwhelming just because of what has transpired," Woods said.

"I could barely walk. Couldn't sleep. Couldn't walk. Couldn't do anything.

"To have the opportunity to come back, it's one of the biggest wins I've ever had for sure."

Winning a fifth Masters title, and his first since 2005, cemented a fairytale comeback to the pinnacle of golf for Woods, whose career imploded after a 2009 sex scandal and nagging knee and back injuries.

"It's overwhelming just because of what has transpired," Wood said. "I was just lucky to be playing again."

With fans chanting his name, an emotional Woods walked off the 18th green and hugged his mother Kultida, daughter Sam and son Charlie just as he had embraced his late father Earl there after his first major victory at the 1997 Masters.

"It has come full circle," Woods said.

"This tournament has meant so much to me and to have everyone here means so much to me and my family.

"Now to be the champion - 22 years between wins is a long time - it's unreal for me to experience this. I just couldn't be more happy, more excited. I'm just kind of at a loss for words."

Racing to finish before an oncoming thunderstorm, players created their own electric atmosphere, spectators roaring repeatedly for sensational shotmaking on one of golf's iconic stages.

Woods fired a final-round two-under par 70 to finish on 13-under 275 for a one-shot victory to capture a $2.07 million top prize and the green jacket symbolising Masters supremacy.

"We couldn't be happier," Augusta National chairperson Fred Ridley told Woods.

"You've made history once again at Augusta National."

An all-American trio of three-time major winner Brooks Koepka, world No 2 Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele shared second on 276.

"I don't know if there are words - I'm sure he's ecstatic about it," Koepka said.

"To have the injuries and come back and do what he has done, it has been tremendous to watch."

It was the fifth Masters title for Woods, his first since 2005, and it moved him three shy of the all-time record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus.

"A big well done from me to Tiger," Nicklaus told telecaster CBS.

"I'm so happy for him and for the game of golf this is so fantastic."

The triumph was the first major victory for Woods when he did not lead after 54 holes, having started the day two adrift of reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari.

Woods served notice he had returned to form by contending last year at the British Open and PGA before snapping a five-year title drought by capturing the Tour Championship.

Woods grabbed the lone lead on a jam-packed leaderboard with a tap-in birdie at the par-5 15th, a four-foot birdie putt following at the par-3 16th to double the advantage, allowing him to bogey the last and still win.

"I was as patient as I've been in a number of years out there," Woods said. "I was controlling my shot placement, especially seeing that board. It was a who's who.

"All these different scenarios keep flying around. It was an amazing buzz to follow what was going on and yet still focus on what I was trying to do out there. I liked it."

Woods parred 17 and walked up to the 18th green to crowds 20-people deep applauding with delight, but he kept a stoic visage until the job was complete, a tap-in for bogey followed by a fist pump and a scream of joy in celebration of one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.

"I know I screamed," Woods said.

Woods, one shy of matching Nicklaus for the most career Masters wins, won his 81st career US PGA victory, one shy of the all-time record held by Sam Snead.

He also set a record for the longest gap between Masters triumphs, the 14-year spread one year longer than the old mark set by South African Gary Player from 1961 to 1974.

Woods, Molinari, Schauffele, Koepka and Johnson were together late on 12-under. None could go lower except Woods, with Molinari undone at the par-5 15th when his approach struck a tree limb and found water on the way to a double-bogey.

"The energy out there was brilliant," Molinari said.

"With Tiger being there, people were loving it. I gave it my best. I'm proud of that."

Augusta National moved the final round to Sunday morning due to storms expected to arrive in the afternoon, when leaders would typically be battling for the title.

Meanwhile, Justin Harding was the leading South African finisher on 8-under par in a tie for 12th-place overall, which guaranteed him a spot in next year's Masters field.

Louis Oosthuizen disappointed with a final round of 4-over par to finish in a tie for 29th on 4-under par.

Trevor Immelman (2-over, tied 51st) and Branden Grace (5-over, tied 58th) were the other two South Africans to have made the cut.

Factfile on Tiger Woods after his victory in the 83rd Masters on Sunday:

Name: Tiger Woods (USA)

Age: 43

Born: December 30, 1975

Birthplace: Cypress, California, USA

Height: 6-foot-1 (1.85m)

Turned Professional: 1996

Career PGA Tour wins: 81

Major titles - 15 (Masters: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019; US Open 2000, 2002, 2008; British Open 2000, 2005, 2006; PGA Championship 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)

PGA Tour Player of the Year: 11 (1997, 1999-2003, 2005-2007, 2009, 2013)

PGA Tour Money Leader: 10 (1997, 1999-2002, 2005-2007, 2009, 2013)

Highest world ranking: 1 (record 683 weeks)

Scores after Sunday's final round of the 83rd Masters tournament at par-72 Augusta National Golf Club (a-denotes amateur):

275 - Tiger Woods (USA) 70-68-67-70

276 - Xander Schauffele (USA) 73-65-70-68, Dustin Johnson (USA) 68-70-70-68, Brooks Koepka (USA) 66-71-69-70

277 - Jason Day (AUS) 70-67-73-67, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 70-67-66-74, Tony Finau (USA) 71-70-64-72, Webb Simpson (USA) 72-71-64-70

278 - Jon Rahm (ESP) 69-70-71-68, Rickie Fowler (USA) 70-71-68-69, Patrick Cantlay (USA) 73-73-64-68

280 - Justin Harding (RSA) 69-69-70-72, Matt Kuchar (USA) 71-69-68-72, Bubba Watson (USA) 72-72-67-69, Justin Thomas (USA) 73-68-69-70, Ian Poulter (ENG) 68-71-68-73

281 - Aaron Wise (USA) 75-71-68-67

282 - Adam Scott (AUS) 69-68-72-73, Patton Kizzire (USA) 70-70-73-69, Phil Mickelson (USA) 67-73-70-72

283 - Lucas Bjerregaard (DEN) 70-72-69-72, Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 71-71-68-73, Kim Si-Woo (KOR) 72-72-70-69, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-72-70-69, Kevin Kisner (USA) 69-73-72-69, Jordan Spieth (USA) 75-68-69-71, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 78-67-68-70, Rory McIlroy (NIR) 73-71-71-68

284 - Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71-66-71-76, Charley Hoffman (USA) 71-71-72-70, Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 66-75-73-70

285 - Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 75-70-68-72, Viktor Hovland (NOR) 72-71-71-71, Charles Howell III (USA) 73-67-76-69, Gary Woodland (USA) 70-71-74-70

286 - Rafael Cabrera (ESP) 73-70-75-68, Álvaro Ortiz (MEX) 73-71-73-69, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 74-72-67-73, Kevin Tway (USA) 72-71-70-73, Patrick Reed (USA) 73-70-74-69, Jimmy Walker (USA) 72-72-72-70, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 71-71-70-74

287 - Li Haotong (CHN) 72-74-73-68, Keith Mitchell (USA) 72-74-72-69, Keegan Bradley (USA) 76-68-71-72

288 - Corey Conners (CAN) 70-71-71-76, Andrew Landry (USA) 72-73-73-70, Kevin Na (USA) 71-73-73-71

289 - Marc Leishman (AUS) 72-72-70-75, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 69-72-75-73

290 - Cameron Smith (AUS) 70-74-69-77, Martin Kaymer (GER) 73-74-72-71, Trevor Immelman (RSA) 74-72-75-69, Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 74-73-72-71

291 - Devon Bling (USA) 74-73-71-73

292 - Billy Horschel (USA) 72-75-74-71, Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 73-73-72-74

293 - Takumi Kanaya (JPN) 73-74-68-78, Branden Grace (RSA) 72-75-72-74, Zach Johnson (USA) 74-73-73-73

294 - Satoshi Kodaira (JPN) 75-70-73-76

296 - Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 72-75-73-76, Bernhard Langer (GER) 71-72-75-78, Alexander Norén (SWE) 75-72-75-74, J.B. Holmes (USA) 70-72-74-80

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE