Tiger Woods Wins 2019 Masters, His First Major Title Since 2008

Golf superstar won his 15th major on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.
|

In a spectacular return to past glory, Tiger Woods has won the Masters, his first major victory in over a decade. 

Woods won his fifth green jacket, stunning fans on Sunday as he pulled ahead during the fourth round of the tournament.

Francesco Molinari entered the final day of the Masters in the lead, with Woods tied for second place two shots behind.

By the18th hole, Woods held a two-shot lead. This was the first tournament Woods won after not holding the lead or co-lead for 54 holes.

Open Image Modal
The 43-year-old won the Masters for a fifth time on an enthralling final day at Augusta National.
PA Ready Sport

Woods, 43, previously won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005, but had not won a championship in nearly 11 years.

With his latest win, he has 15 major titles under his belt, placing him three major titles behind record holder Jack Nicklaus, who has 18.

In the years since his previous Masters win in 2005, he’s undergone multiple surgeries, including on his back, experienced the death of his father, Earl Woods, in 2006, had his marriage become tabloid fodder in 2009 and got a divorce, and was arrested for driving under the influence in 2017.

In 2017, he also underwent his fourth back surgery, a spinal fusion, to alleviate pain in his back and leg. Just last month he also withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational due to a neck strain.

Fans, including fellow athletes, rejoiced on Twitter over his triumph, agreeing that Woods’ comeback was complete and historic. 

President Donald Trump joined in on congratulating Woods, lauding him as “a truly Great Champion!”

Woods’ win also accomplished the nearly impossible ― putting Trump on the same page as his White House predecessor, Barack Obama. The former president chimed in with his praise for the golfer: