What a comeback story. And this is what true champions in life do, never accept failure as an option, and come out in full bloom again. What a journey from the lowest depth of life to becoming the champion again!

 

 

 

 

 

Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and 15th major title to seal one of the greatest comeback stories in sport and won many hearts.

 

 

Thailand's Kiradech ensured that he finishes in the top 50 and at the end of round 4, he was placed at T49. 

 

 

 

 

Woods took the lead on the 15th hole and sending the patrons at Augusta National into a frenzy as they witnessed one of the game’s greatest players of all time claim his 15th major championship.

 

 

 

 

"It's overwhelming, just because of what has transpired," Woods said. "Last year I was lucky to be playing again. At the previous year's dinner, I was really struggling. I missed a couple of years not playing this great tournament. To now be the champion ... 22 years between wins is a long time. It's unreal to experience this."

 

Woods had never come from behind to win a major. Until Sunday. It was also Woods’ 81st PGA TOUR victory and his first since winning the TOUR Championship to end last season.

 

The 43-year-old muscled his way through a tightly packed leaderboard to win by one shot at Augusta for his first major title in 11 years and first Masters win since 2005. It completes a fairytale return for the most dominant player of his generation -- and arguably the best ever -- after enduring "dark times" through injury since 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woods underwent career-saving spine fusion surgery in 2017 and sealed an impressive comeback season last year with his first win for five years. Sunday's thrilling victory puts the former world No.1 just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus. Only fellow American Nicklaus has won more Masters, with six. Woods also joins Nicklaus as the only player to have won the Masters in three different decades after he clinched his first as a 21-year-old in 1997.

 

 

"It's overwhelming just because of what has transpired," Woods said in the Green Jacket ceremony in the Butler Cabin.

 

Woods began the day two shots behind Italy's Francesco Molinari, and rode the roller coaster of a gripping final round to first share the lead after the Italian found the water in front of the short 12th.

 

 

 

 

Two holes later five players were tied at the top, but Woods' birdie on the long 15th took him clear on his own. Another birdie on the short 16th ignited thunderous roars which reverberated around the towering pines as Woods marched off with a two-shot lead and a thousand-yard stare in scenes reminiscent of his heyday.

 

 

Francesco Molinari seemed destined to win the 2019 Masters on Sunday, especially after his hot start that saw him robotically burying key putts to stay ahead of Tiger Woods and the rest of the field.

 

 

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But then, as often happens Sunday at the Masters, disaster struck on the back nine for the Italian star as he double bogeyed the par-3 12th and then did the same on the par-5 15th, finding the water on both holes.

 

 

Did you Know?

• Tiger Woods wins fifth Masters, 15th major title and 81st PGA TOUR victory
• Tiger Woods wins a major championship for the first time when trailing after 54 holes
• Five times Tiger Woods sat 11-under or better through 54 holes at Augusta National, he’s won
• Four players in the last two groupings found water with tee shots en route to double bogeys at No. 12
• Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas each made a hole-in-one Sunday at No. 16
• Players finishing top-12 and ties, including first-year participant Justin Harding, earned an invitation to 2020 Masters

 

 

 

Day 1: Thai Kiradech grabs his best ever round as Brooks, DeChambeau lead the Masters

Day 2: Thai Kiradech stays on fringe of contention as Woods sets off fireworks at The Masters

Day 3: Thai Kiradech makes heroic recovery shot after embarrassing fall as Woods just off the Masters lead

 

(With inputs from CNN)