Tiger Woods won the 83rd Masters on Sunday, capturing his 15th major title to cement an epic return from scandal and injuries that once threatened his career.
Woods, who started the day two shots behind Francesco Molinari, fired a final-round 70 for a 13-under par total of 275 and a one-shot win over Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.
Woods, clad in bright red, raised his club and fist to the sky then hugged his mother and two children after sinking a short bogey putt to seal the win as the crowd erupted in chants of “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!”
Woods had birdied the par-five 15th hole to take a one-shot lead and stretched it to two strokes with a birdie at the par-three 16th as Molinari’s challenge faced with double bogeys at 12 and 15.
Woods’s majestic march to victory was made to the accompaniment of the roars of the Augusta National crowds – those watching him and those who saw his name go up atop the leaderboards around the course.
The 14 years between his fourth Masters triumph and his fifth topped the previous longest gap of 13 years between Gary Player’s 1961 win and his 1974 title.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the moment:
I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 14, 2019
He’s done it. He’s only gone and won it. There’s something in my eye. To use a phrase once used before about @TigerWoods “Oh my goodness...Wow....In your life have you seen anything like that?” 👏👏👏👏
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 14, 2019
This new @Nike ad congratulating Tiger on winning #TheMasters is everything pic.twitter.com/HW0vwv56Jd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 14, 2019
Never underestimate greatness
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) April 14, 2019
Tiger has shown us all that you can always come back.. in sport and in life.. if you put in the work...#nevergiveup
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 14, 2019
Tiger Woods - 2019 Masters Champion
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) April 14, 2019
- His first Major title since the 2008 US Open; 3,954 days ago
- His 5th Masters title and first since 2005
- His 15th Major title; 2nd most behind Jack Nicklaus (18)#Tiger #TigerWoods #MastersSunday #TheMasters
REMINDER: IT'S OK TO CRY WHEN YOU'RE WATCHING SPORTS. pic.twitter.com/LmStF65EXg
— The Ringer (@ringer) April 14, 2019
📉 Fallen to rank 1,199th at one point.
— SPORF (@Sporf) April 14, 2019
🏥 Had 4 back surgeries.
🚗 Charged with drink driving.
⛳ Said he may never play competitively again.
🏆 Hadn’t won a major since 2008.
🏌 9 missed cuts.
🐅 @TigerWoods has roared back. pic.twitter.com/sp2SPrRgdF
A big “well done” from me to @TigerWoods! I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic!!! 👏🏼@TheMasters
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) April 14, 2019
Tiger's final round
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) April 14, 2019
1 Par 👈
2 Par 👈
3 Birdie 🐦
4 Bogey 1⃣🆙
5 Bogey 1⃣🆙
6 Par 👈
7 Birdie 🐦
8 Birdie 🐦
9 Par 👈
10 Bogey 1⃣🆙
11 Par 👈
12 Par 👈
13 Birdie 🐦
14 Par 👈
15 Birdie 🐦
16 Birdie 🐦
17 Par 👈
18 Bogey 1⃣🆙
⛳️ https://t.co/0kUniX6SeW#bbcgolf #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/IqrN4zBteN
When Tiger Woods last won a Masters in 2005…
— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) April 14, 2019
• George W Bush had just started his 2nd term
• Barack Obama had been a senator for 97 days
• Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey, was #1 movie in America
• Destiny’s Child had begun its final tour
• Rory McIlroy was 15 yrs old
Tiger Woods odds to win every major in 2019:
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 14, 2019
In February, @SuperBookUSA had it at 500/1.
After Master win, @FDSportsbook has it at 35/1.
And to think, some people say golf is boring
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 14, 2019