Augusta: Fallen hero, crippled star, and now a Masters champion again.
Tiger Woods completed one of sport's great all-time comebacks to end an 11-year major title drought at the Masters on Sunday by claiming a fifth Green Jacket.
Comeback kid: Tiger Woods wins the Masters at Augusta on Sunday.Credit:AP
A gritty two-under 70 clinched a one-shot victory over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Keopka and Xander Schauffele earning the 43-year-old a 15th major title that many thought would never come and instantly renewed talk of a run at Jack Nicklaus' record of 18.
Not since the 2008 US Open had Woods hoisted a major trophy while the last of his four Augusta titles came in 2005, his fifth Green Jacket leaving him one short of another Nicklaus record.
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The victory also marked the first time Woods had reached the winner's circle at major without leading after 54 holes. Overnight leader Francesco Molinari title charge collapsed with two double bogeys.
Tiger Woods hugs his Joe LaCava after sinking his final putt on the 18th.Credit:AP
Woods was golf's most dominant figure until a high-profile sex scandal, divorce and multiple injuries led to a very public fall from grace. There were occasional doubts about whether he'd even continue to play professionally, let alone win another title at one of the most iconic events in world sports.
But he's still a massive draw, with large galleries following his progress around the manicured fairways and greens of Augusta National Golf Club.
Nike released a short video within seconds of Woods holing his winning putt, showing various images of him over the years and with the message, "It's crazy to think a 43-year-old who has experienced every high and every low, and has just won his 15th major, is chasing the same dream as a 3-year-old."
Woods, 43, turned pro in 1996 and almost immediately became the sport's dominant player. He won 14 majors before his 33rd birthday, and had a seismic impact off the course, driving new interest in golf worldwide and huge television ratings in the US. He won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
Things fell apart starting in 2009, when news reports detailed extramarital affairs he was having with a number of different women. That began a 10-year stretch marred by a messy divorce, substance abuse and a litany of injuries.
Euphoria: Woods wins at Augusta. Again.Credit:AP
There had been moments of Old Tiger – he regained his No. 1 ranking in 2013 – but his play was largely inconsistent. He missed most of 2017 following back surgery, and in May of that year was arrested for driving under the influence.
Along the way, sponsors came and went. A number of companies, such as AT&T, Accenture and Gillette dropped him after the infidelity scandal, and Nike, by far his most important corporate ally, recently announced it was getting out of the golf equipment business entirely. It still makes Woods' clothing.
No one has dominated the golfing landscape, on or off the course, in the way that Woods did in his heyday. Players from Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth to Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are among those vying to be the new wunderkind of the fairway, but there's been no consistent standout.
Top earner
At the height of his dominance, Woods was making $US110 million per year as the world's highest paid athlete, with $US30 million coming from Nike alone, according to Forbes. Last year the magazine reported his earnings as $US43.3 million, with just $US1.3 million coming from endorsements.
His new partners include Bridgestone, which supplies his golf balls, and TaylorMade, which replaced Nike as his equipment sponsor. Woods' bag, once branded by Buick, now has logos for Monster Energy drink.
Finally healthy, Woods has been playing better of late. Last September he won the Tour Championship, his first PGA Tour title in five years, and came to Augusta as the world's No.12. He's set to move into the top 10 when they're updated next.
The championship will stoke renewed interest in his quest to top Jack Nicklaus' 18 major titles and will reverberate around the golf world.
Ratings for Saturday's round on CBS suggested a TiRead More – Source
Augusta: Fallen hero, crippled star, and now a Masters champion again.
Tiger Woods completed one of sport's great all-time comebacks to end an 11-year major title drought at the Masters on Sunday by claiming a fifth Green Jacket.
Comeback kid: Tiger Woods wins the Masters at Augusta on Sunday.Credit:AP
A gritty two-under 70 clinched a one-shot victory over Dustin Johnson, Brooks Keopka and Xander Schauffele earning the 43-year-old a 15th major title that many thought would never come and instantly renewed talk of a run at Jack Nicklaus' record of 18.
Not since the 2008 US Open had Woods hoisted a major trophy while the last of his four Augusta titles came in 2005, his fifth Green Jacket leaving him one short of another Nicklaus record.
Advertisement
The victory also marked the first time Woods had reached the winner's circle at major without leading after 54 holes. Overnight leader Francesco Molinari title charge collapsed with two double bogeys.
Tiger Woods hugs his Joe LaCava after sinking his final putt on the 18th.Credit:AP
Woods was golf's most dominant figure until a high-profile sex scandal, divorce and multiple injuries led to a very public fall from grace. There were occasional doubts about whether he'd even continue to play professionally, let alone win another title at one of the most iconic events in world sports.
But he's still a massive draw, with large galleries following his progress around the manicured fairways and greens of Augusta National Golf Club.
Nike released a short video within seconds of Woods holing his winning putt, showing various images of him over the years and with the message, "It's crazy to think a 43-year-old who has experienced every high and every low, and has just won his 15th major, is chasing the same dream as a 3-year-old."
Woods, 43, turned pro in 1996 and almost immediately became the sport's dominant player. He won 14 majors before his 33rd birthday, and had a seismic impact off the course, driving new interest in golf worldwide and huge television ratings in the US. He won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
Things fell apart starting in 2009, when news reports detailed extramarital affairs he was having with a number of different women. That began a 10-year stretch marred by a messy divorce, substance abuse and a litany of injuries.
Euphoria: Woods wins at Augusta. Again.Credit:AP
There had been moments of Old Tiger – he regained his No. 1 ranking in 2013 – but his play was largely inconsistent. He missed most of 2017 following back surgery, and in May of that year was arrested for driving under the influence.
Along the way, sponsors came and went. A number of companies, such as AT&T, Accenture and Gillette dropped him after the infidelity scandal, and Nike, by far his most important corporate ally, recently announced it was getting out of the golf equipment business entirely. It still makes Woods' clothing.
No one has dominated the golfing landscape, on or off the course, in the way that Woods did in his heyday. Players from Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth to Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka are among those vying to be the new wunderkind of the fairway, but there's been no consistent standout.
Top earner
At the height of his dominance, Woods was making $US110 million per year as the world's highest paid athlete, with $US30 million coming from Nike alone, according to Forbes. Last year the magazine reported his earnings as $US43.3 million, with just $US1.3 million coming from endorsements.
His new partners include Bridgestone, which supplies his golf balls, and TaylorMade, which replaced Nike as his equipment sponsor. Woods' bag, once branded by Buick, now has logos for Monster Energy drink.
Finally healthy, Woods has been playing better of late. Last September he won the Tour Championship, his first PGA Tour title in five years, and came to Augusta as the world's No.12. He's set to move into the top 10 when they're updated next.
The championship will stoke renewed interest in his quest to top Jack Nicklaus' 18 major titles and will reverberate around the golf world.
Ratings for Saturday's round on CBS suggested a TiRead More – Source
