Tiger Woods celebrates after sinking his putt to win during the final round of the Masters on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Ga.
Tiger Woods won his fifth Masters green jacket Sunday.
Playing in his familiar red shirt that he traditionally wears during the final rounds of tournaments, Woods delivered a memorable and historic performance Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
When he sank a short putt on the 18th hole to clinch the win, Woods pumped his fist and then threw his arms into the air to celebrate as spectators chanted, “Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!” He then ran to hug his two children and mother, a scene that harkened back to the hug with his late father following his first Masters win in 1997.
The victory is Woods’ first at the Masters since 2005. His last major win came at the 2008 U.S. Open.
Woods finished 13-under par for the tournament, with a four-round score of 275.
Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka tied for second, one shot back.
It came on a day when tee times were moved up hours earlier than they normally are on the Sunday of Masters week due to an approaching severe storm system that hit other parts of the south on Saturday and early Sunday. Augusta was under a tornado watch.
Jack Nicklaus has the most wins in the Masters — six. His last win came in 1986, 11 years before Woods won it for the first time. Woods is just the second to win five Masters titles. It was also his 15th career major victory, second only Nicklaus’ 18.
When Woods sank a birdie putt on the 16th hole to grab a two-shot lead, a large crowd jammed around the green roared. Woods acknowledged the cheers, but methodically walked briskly toward the tee area for the 17th hole.
He still held a two-shot lead as he walked down the fairway on the 18th, and final, hole as spectators lining the hole cheered.
Woods has overcome serious back injuries and surgeries to be back on the PGA Tour as a title contender. He won his first Masters in 1997, then added back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. Since 2005, his closest finishes were second place in 2007 and 2008.
Paul D. Bowker has been writing about Olympic sports since 1996, when he was an assistant bureau chief in Atlanta. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.