Tiger Woods completed an epic comeback from career-threatening injury and scandal by winning the 83rd Masters on Sunday, capturing his 15th major title to end an 11-year major drought.
The 43-year-old American superstar, who underwent spinalfusion surgery in 2017 due to chronic back pain, seized his first major titlesince the 2008 US Open.
“It’s overwhelming just because of what hastranspired,” 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 thebiggest 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 careerimploded after a 2009 sex scandal and nagging knee and back injuries that requireda total of seven surgeries.
“It’s the best I’ve felt with a driver in years,”Woods said. “I felt in control of my long game and it really paidoff.”
With fans chanting his name, an emotional Woods walked offthe 18th green and hugged his mother Kultida, daughter Sam and son Charlie justas he had embraced his late father Earl there after his first major victory atthe 1997 Masters.
“It has come full circle,” Woods said. “Thistournament has meant so much to me and to have everyone here means so much tome and my family.
“Now to be the champion — 22 years between wins is along time — it’s unreal for me to experience this. I just couldn’t be morehappy, more excited. I’m just kind of at a loss for words.”
Racing to finish before an oncoming thunderstorm, playerscreated their own electric atmosphere, spectators roaring repeatedly forsensational 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 (1.82 million euros) top prize and the green jacket symbolizing Masters supremacy.