It was a Sunday unlike any other at this tradition unlike any other.
Woods, 43, shot a 2-under par 70 to win his first green jacket since 2005 and his first major since the 2008 U.S. Open. His 13-under 275 was enough to defeat Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffle, and Brooks Koepeka by one stroke, but that does not begin to tell the story of a dramatic Sunday that ended approximately four-and-a-half hours early after tee times were moved ahead due to the threat of severe weather.
In addition to Woods' fifth Masters championship and 15th major title (trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus in both categories), Sunday marked his 81st victory on the PGA Tour, one away from the career record held by Sam Snead. It was also the first time Tiger had won one of golf's four major championships when not entering the final round with at least a share of the lead.
"It fits," Woods quipped after 2018 champion Patrick Reed slipped the traditional winner's garment over his shoulders in Butler Cabin. It was a far more sedate setting than the 18th green had been a few minutes before as Woods clinched the title with a short bogey putt.
"WOOOOOOO!!!" Woods screamed as he headed for the scoring room with chants of "Tiger! Tiger! Tiger" echoing as loud as any of the roars on the back nine at Augusta National. He scooped up 10-year-old son Charlie, born a year after that dramatic victory on Father's Day weekend at Torrey Pines. He hugged his mother and then his 11-year-old daughter Sam, and everyone else in his camp that stood by him through a public divorce and an embarrassing DUI arrest from a concoction of painkillers and surgeries.
"It's overwhelming, just because of what has transpired," Woods told CBS during the post-round interview. "Last year I was lucky to be playing again. At the previous year's [champions] dinner, I was really struggling. I missed a couple of years not playing this great tournament. To now be the champion ... 22 years between [first and latest] wins is a long time. It's unreal to experience this."
"To have my kids there, it's come full circle," Woods added. "You know, my dad was here in '97 and now, I'm the dad with two kids there."
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But as on four previous Sunday afternoons at Augusta National Golf Club, Tiger Woods stood alone at the top of the Masters leaderboard.
In addition to Woods' fifth Masters championship and 15th major title (trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus in both categories), Sunday marked his 81st victory on the PGA Tour, one away from the career record held by Sam Snead. It was also the first time Tiger had won one of golf's four major championships when not entering the final round with at least a share of the lead.
"WOOOOOOO!!!" Woods screamed as he headed for the scoring room with chants of "Tiger! Tiger! Tiger" echoing as loud as any of the roars on the back nine at Augusta National. He scooped up 10-year-old son Charlie, born a year after that dramatic victory on Father's Day weekend at Torrey Pines. He hugged his mother and then his 11-year-old daughter Sam, and everyone else in his camp that stood by him through a public divorce and an embarrassing DUI arrest from a concoction of painkillers and surgeries.
"It's overwhelming, just because of what has transpired," Woods told CBS during the post-round interview. "Last year I was lucky to be playing again. At the previous year's [champions] dinner, I was really struggling. I missed a couple of years not playing this great tournament. To now be the champion ... 22 years between [first and latest] wins is a long time. It's unreal to experience this."
"To have my kids there, it's come full circle," Woods added. "You know, my dad was here in '97 and now, I'm the dad with two kids there."
Fox News.
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