Advertisement

Why Tiger's 15th major win was different from the others

When Tiger Woods sealed one of world sport’s greatest comebacks, there was one significant difference as he stepped off the Augusta course.

Woods completed an epic comeback from career-threatening injury and scandal by winning the 83rd Masters on Monday, capturing his 15th major title to end an 11-year major drought.

‘BIGGEST LOSS EVER’: Betting agency’s multi-million dollar disaster on Woods

BEAUTIFUL: Tiger’s lovely ‘full circle’ moment after Masters triumph

Unlike his previous major triumphs, however, the American’s latest effort will be one of the most special for more reasons than one.

So long renowned on the PGA Tour as a ruthlessly methodical operator, Woods has never been Mr Popularity among his peers.

However, one of the American’s old friends says the reception Woods received after his latest major victory, proves how far the man himself has come.

Woods’ win was met with wild celebrations. Pic: Getty
Woods’ win was met with wild celebrations. Pic: Getty

Former fellow professional Notah Begay III – now a golf caller – remarked on the posse of fellow players waiting to congratulate Woods.

“It’s not just that he’s gone through it, but it’s the man that he’s become,” Begay, who joined ‘Live From The Masters’, said.

“If you look at his previous wins there wasn’t hardly anybody waiting for him after those victories, and now you just saw the plethora of players from multiple generations.

“You saw Bernhard Langer, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler — those are relationships he’s fostered in these last two or three years.

“So yes, his performance on the golf course was kind of non-existent until the last year or so, but his growth as a person and as somebody in this game that could still create new friendships and relationships has really blossomed.”

Woods’ improbable return from career-threatening injury

The 43-year-old American superstar, who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017 due to chronic back pain, seized his first major title since the 2008 US Open.

Begay III said an incident involving Woods after his second surgery, made him convinced that such a comeback was impossible.

I went to visit him and provide just some support — sometimes when you’re laying around it’s always nice to have somebody around the house just to talk to.

“I walked in and he was unable to get out of his chair to give me a hug. We had to go to pick his kids up at school, and he asked me to drive him — not able to get out of his chair, was unable to walk to his car on his own power … was unable to sit upright, had to recline the seat back.

Woods’ family was there to toast his Masters victory. Pic: Getty
Woods’ family was there to toast his Masters victory. Pic: Getty

“It was a telling day for me, because the one person who I had kind of looked up to for most of my life, as a friend and as a competitor, was unable to get up out of his chair.

“If he’s unable to do that, then he’s certainly not able to play world class golf in the near future or maybe even ever. That was a reality check for me.

“But just seeing this guy’s desire and what’s in his heart. I mean, it’s unparalleled. This could be one of the greatest achievements in sports.”

Woods said he could barely believe what he’s been able to achieve, considering his career looked over at one stage of his recovery.

“It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired,” Woods said.

“I could barely walk. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t walk. Couldn’t do anything.

“To have the opportunity to come back, it’s one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had for sure.”

Winning a fifth Masters title, and his first since 2005, cemented a fairytale comeback to the pinnacle of golf for Woods, whose career imploded after a 2009 sex scandal and nagging knee and back injuries that required a total of seven surgeries.

“It’s the best I’ve felt with a driver in years,” Woods said. “I felt in control of my long game and it really paid off.”

With fans chanting his name, an emotional Woods walked off the 18th green and hugged his mother Kultida, daughter Sam and son Charlie just as he had embraced his late father Earl there after his first major victory at the 1997 Masters.

Woods closing in on remarkable Nicklaus record

Jack Nicklaus says the steely nerves of Woods mean it may be only a matter of time before his long-standing record of 18 golf major titles is toppled.

The 43-year-old took his majors total to 15 and sparked emotional scenes when he came from behind amid deafening roars around Augusta National to secure his first since the 2008 US Open.

Now the big question is how much more he can achieve.

“He (Woods) is playing so much better than anyone else, he deserves to win,” an admiring Nicklaus said.

“Every shot I saw him hit (in the final round) was a smart shot.”

Often considered impregnable, Nicklaus’s record has stood for 33 years since he won the last of his six Masters titles in 1986 at age 46.

He treasures his place at the top in golf history but says it’s Woods’s putting performance that best indicates he can challenge it.

“To pinpoint one thing that helps longevity at Augusta National it’s putting. @TigerWoods was perfect today inside 10 feet,” Nicklaus posted on Twitter after the third round.

“Putting is about nerve (and) nerves. As long as Tiger has that under control, he can win at the Masters for (the) next 10 years. Tiger’s nerve is still pretty darn good!”

An 81st PGA Tour win propelled Woods to world No.6 less than two years after he was ranked No.1199.

The win was Woods’ fifth Masters title. Pic: Getty
The win was Woods’ fifth Masters title. Pic: Getty

He started Sunday two shots off the lead and shot a strategic two-under-par 70 to win at 13-under 275 as his rivals faltered, triumphing by one shot from Dustin Johnson (68), Xander Schauffele (68) and Brooks Koepka (70).

“It’s something I’ll never forget,” an emotional Woods said.

Plagued by chronic injuries, which forced repeated back surgeries, and off-course scandals, fans feared they would never see the superstar win on the majors stage again.

But Woods’s last three results at the majors include this win, a runner-up at the PGA Championship and a sixth at the British Open.

“I can win majors now,” said Woods, who also earned his first PGA Tour victory since 2013 at last year’s Tour Championship.

“The win at East Lake was a big confidence-booster for me because I had come close a couple times without getting across the finish line,” he said.

“I didn’t do it at The Open Championship. I was a little better at the PGA but still I didn’t win.

“I (can) still win out here and against the best players.

“My last three major championships have been pretty good, so that gives me a lot of confidence going down the road.”

With AAP