By Daniel Etchells |
Tiger Woods stormed to a fifth Masters title to claim his first major in nearly 11 years on Sunday. On a dramatic day at Augusta National Golf Club, Woods finished with a two-under-par round of 70 to win on 13 under.
He ended the tournament one shot clear of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.
It secured Woods his first Masters title in 14 years and his first major since the 2008 US Open.
Th 43-year-old celebrated with his children at the back of the 18th green, more than two decades on from winning his first Masters title and first major of any sort in 1997.
“I’m a little hoarse from yelling,” Woods said.
“I was just trying to plod my way around all day then all of a sudden I had the lead.
“Coming up 18 I was just trying to make a five.
“When I tapped in I don’t know what I did, I know I screamed.
“To have my kids there, it’s come full circle.
“My dad was here in 1997 and now I’m the dad with two kids there.
“It will be up there with one of the hardest I’ve had to win because of what has transpired in the last couple of years.”
Victory marks a sensational comeback for Woods, who missed the 2016 and 2017 Masters with back problems.
He finally underwent back fusion surgery in April 2017 and eventually returned to form last year by triumphing at the Tour Championship in Atlanta in California in September.
It followed a joint sixth-place finish at The Open in Scottish town Carnoustie in July and a second-place finish at the following month’s Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Championship in Missouri, St. Louis.
Woods now has 81 PGA Tour wins to his name, putting him one behind record holder Sam Snead of the United States.
Overnight leader Francesco Molinari faltered down the stretch with double bogeys coming at the 12th and the 15th.
The Italian had to settle for a share of fifth place on 11 under after a two-over 74.
He finished level with Americans Tony Finau and Webb Simpson as well as Australia’s Jason Day.
Woods moved into a two-shot lead with three birdies in four holes from the 13th.
A par on the 17th saw him take the same advantage going up the last.
Only Koepka, the winner of the US Open and PGA Championship in 2018, had the chance to apply pressure but he failed to convert a birdie putt to remain on 12 under.
Woods’ second shot to the 18th ended well short of the green and although he could only chip on to 14 feet, he was able to afford dropping shot and wrapped up the historic win with his second putt.
He was presented with his fifth Green Jacket by last year’s champion and fellow American Patrick Reed, who finished tied for 36th place on two under.
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.