Golf superstar Tiger Woods has triumphed for the fifth time at the Masters in Augusta, achieving the 15th Major victory of his career. Fourteen years after his last success at the Augusta National Golf Club’s traditional tournament, the American beat the competition on Sunday with a total of 275 strokes.
At Magnolia Lane, where the great career began with a win in 1997, the 43-year-old suddenly won ahead of compatriots Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka (all 276 strokes). After six birdies and four bogeys and 70 laps on the final day on the difficult par 72 course, Woods closed the eleven million dollar tournament at 13 below par.
The former world number one, who had to fight since his last major victory at the US Open 2008 with personal and health problems (back surgeries), started in Augusta with a 70 round, came back with 68 and 67 in the race and was allowed cheering for the fourth round.
With tears in his eyes to the last hole
With tears in his eyes, Woods completed the two-slash lead on the final fairway and wrapped himself in the „Green Jacket“ for the fifth time, the traditional prize in addition to the $ 1.9 million check for success in 2019. „It’s overwhelming what happened,“ Woods said at the award ceremony before last year’s winner Patrick Reed helped him into the famous green jacket.
The frenetic fans celebrated the crowd’s favorite with loud „Tiger, Tiger“ chanting as he whipped up the deciding putt to victory on the 18th and final fairway. As the first well-wishers his two children Sam and Charlie and his mother Kultida fell around his neck. US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama congratulated via Twitter.
Exciting finale
The final round was hard to beat, especially in the last seven holes, the leadership changed constantly. On the twelfth fairway Woods, who started the final round two shots behind the leader, beat for the first time. His hitherto toughest competitors Francesco Molinari and Tony Finau sunk on the 144-meter short Par-3 both their tees in the water. Woods managed the par and he played so for the first time in the split leadership.
With a birdie on the 15th fairway, the long-standing number one of the world took over the holes of the field for the first time with three holes to go. On the 16th track he built his lead with another birdie. He did not give up the leadership until the end. Bitter, however, the final day was for Molinari, who had gone as leader in the final day. The 36-year-old from Turin slipped back to fifth place with a lap of 74.
In outstanding form
Woods‘ 14 previous victories in major tournaments (Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, British Open) had one thing in common. The exceptional golfer was in the lead alone or ex aequo every time before the last round. In any triumph, he had to make good on the last 18 holes in contrast to this year. However, Woods was in the form of a terrific form at the Augusta National Golf Club, as he did not often play before his bad years – from 2014 to the end of 2017 he was injured most of the time.
