Tiger Woods wins his fifth Masters after 14 years

John Laforest
Staff Writer

Tiger Woods captured his fifth green jacket and 15th major championship when he won the Master Tournament Sunday, April 14.

Woods taped in for bogey on the 18th win the tournament. Woods finished at –13 and as he held off Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, who made late charges to finish one shot behind woods.

First, Woods stopped near the green to greet his mother and children. It was near the same spot he’d memorably embraced his father after winning his first green jacket in 1997. 

“I hope they are proud of me,” Woods said of his kids. “I hope they are proud of their dad.”

This major win is very significant and unique for Woods. For the first time in his career, Woods came from behind to win a major championship. He started Sunday’s final round behind Italy’s Francesco Molinariby two shots, and sat three behind after 11, but chased the reigning Open champion down with a 2-under 70.

Woods won the Masters for the fifth time in his career, which is second to only Nicklaus’ six titles and claimed his 15th major championship, which trails only Nicklaus’ 18. There was so much doubt whether Woods could get back on the path to possibly catch Nicklaus’s major championship record, let alone another major.

Woods also became the second-oldest man to win a green jacket at 43 years, 3 months and 15 days. Nicklaus was the oldest Masters champion at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days.

The fact that Woods has won another major tournament is a huge surprise in its own Woods has a had a long journey since his last win at Torry Pines in 2008.

In April 2017, Woods’ career was in jeopardy because of a debilitating back injury. Woods has had well documented back issues for years. Before Woods arrived at Augusta National to take his seat at the champions dinner, he needed a nerve block to endure sitting in a chair.

Some of his problems have been self-inflicted. On May 29, 2017, Woods was arrested on DUI charges near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida. Officers found him asleep in his car. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and entered a treatment program. That incident followed a very public divorce in 2010 from his wife, Elin Nordegren, which revealed details of his infidelity.

Tiger Woods’s win on Sunday is a great comeback for someone who has had as many off the course issues as success on the course.

Header photo courtesy of the Associated Press.