Today in sports history (2019), Tiger Woods won the Masters after not winning a major in 11 years. Woods won his fifth green jacket, putting him one Masters win short of Jack Nicklaus’ record of six.
This Masters Sunday was especially notable, considering Woods’ prior off-field issues. This included infidelity, drug issues and car crashes. Many thought that in 2009, when Woods was in his car accident, he was done with the sport. This looked to be true, as he had not won a major tournament in 11 years. Seeing Woods in the last round of the Masters with a chance of winning exploded viewership, as many wanted to see him complete the comeback.
At age 43, Woods became the 11th-oldest player to win the Masters.
Tiger Woods Completes the Ultimate Career Comeback at Masters
After round one, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were tied for the lead at -6. There were 10 players who were tied for 11th at -2, including Tiger Woods. After Koepka struggled early during the second round, Jason Day, Francisco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott joined him at -7. Tiger Woods was tied for sixth, at -6. Woods started to make his move come round three. Molinari had an incredible third round, leading the pack at -13. Woods, who was now tied with Tony Finau, sat at -11 at the end of the third round.
Through the first 11 holes of the final round, Molinari held the lead. Molinari hit a double bogey on 12, allowing a tie with Woods for first place. Going into the 15th hole, five players were tied for the lead at -12 — Molinari, Woods, Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson and Koepka. Molinari hit into the water on 15 and Woods was the only player to birdie the hole. Woods parred 17.
This meant that all Woods needed to do to win the Masters was bogey 18. Woods ended 18 chipping onto the green and two-putting to win the Masters. This was the first time in Tiger Woods’ career that he won a major after trailing for the first 54 holes.
