Tiger Woods said he held back the tears as he reached the 18th green before winning his first tournament in five years.
Woods' fairy tale comeback at the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, followed a two year absence from the game, in which it seemed at times he may never play again.
The 42-year-old, who has won 14 majors, raised his arms in delight when he finished 11-under-par, as thousands of fans cheered in celebration.
He said: "I was having a hard time not crying coming up the last hole.
"I kept saying 'Hey, I could still play this out of bounds.' But once I got the ball on the green I gave (caddie) Joey (LaCava) a high five because I knew it was done."
He said he had loved every minute despite it being "a grind".
Woods added: "It's been tough. I've had a not-so-easy last couple of years. I've worked my way back. I couldn't have done it without the help of all the people around me.
"Some of the other players knew what I was struggling with. It was really special to see them at the green on 18. It's just hard to believe I won the Tour Championship."
A birdie from Justin Rose prevented Woods winning the overall FedEx Cup title as well, with Rose going home with the £7.6m bonus.
Woods returned to golf in January after spending two years fighting a debilitating back injury, including having surgery four times.
He last underwent surgery 17 months ago, when he had his spine fused.
He hadn't won a tournament since the 2013 Bridgestone International.
The golf legend has also battled personal demons, facing an arrest for driving under the influence, and numerous cheating claims.
More from Tiger Woods
But within four months of telling fans he could not hit a ball 60 yards, he rejoined the PGA tour, and soon after that, earned his spot on the Ryder Cup team.
Woods is now close to taking the PGA Tour title record, claiming his 80th, and coming close to Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 tour titles.
Tiger Woods said he held back the tears as he reached the 18th green before winning his first tournament in five years.
Woods' fairy tale comeback at the PGA Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, followed a two year absence from the game, in which it seemed at times he may never play again.
The 42-year-old, who has won 14 majors, raised his arms in delight when he finished 11-under-par, as thousands of fans cheered in celebration.
He said: "I was having a hard time not crying coming up the last hole.
"I kept saying 'Hey, I could still play this out of bounds.' But once I got the ball on the green I gave (caddie) Joey (LaCava) a high five because I knew it was done."
He said he had loved every minute despite it being "a grind".
Woods added: "It's been tough. I've had a not-so-easy last couple of years. I've worked my way back. I couldn't have done it without the help of all the people around me.
"Some of the other players knew what I was struggling with. It was really special to see them at the green on 18. It's just hard to believe I won the Tour Championship."
A birdie from Justin Rose prevented Woods winning the overall FedEx Cup title as well, with Rose going home with the £7.6m bonus.
Woods returned to golf in January after spending two years fighting a debilitating back injury, including having surgery four times.
He last underwent surgery 17 months ago, when he had his spine fused.
He hadn't won a tournament since the 2013 Bridgestone International.
The golf legend has also battled personal demons, facing an arrest for driving under the influence, and numerous cheating claims.
More from Tiger Woods
But within four months of telling fans he could not hit a ball 60 yards, he rejoined the PGA tour, and soon after that, earned his spot on the Ryder Cup team.
Woods is now close to taking the PGA Tour title record, claiming his 80th, and coming close to Sam Snead's all-time record of 82 tour titles.
