Tiger Woods wins 5th Masters with final round rally
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods waves after making a birdie on the 15th hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Tiger Woods won the Masters Sunday, claiming his fifth green jacket and first since 2005. Woods claimed the title in come-from-behind fashion, starting the final round two shots off the lead.
Woods shot a final round 70, finishing the tournament at -13, one shot ahead of runners-up Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele.
This is Woods' first major title since the 2008 U.S. Open, capping a remarkable recovery from debilitating injuries and embarrassing personal problems. Woods lost his impeccable image to a sex scandal. He lost his health to four back surgeries that left him unable to get out of bed, much less swing a club, and he went two years without even playing a major. It was two years ago at the Masters when Woods said he needed a nerve block just to walk to the Champions Dinner. At that time, he thought his career is over.
Now the comeback is truly complete.
Woods showed he still had the game to compete with the world's best when he triumphed in last year's Tour Championship, his first victory of any kind since 2013.
In a final round that was played in threesomes off both tees to stay ahead of approaching thunderstorms, Woods grabbed the outright lead for the first time with a two-putt birdie at No. 15. Then, with Olympic champion Michael Phelps standing behind him on the tee at the par-3 16th, Woods wrapped things up by sticking an 8-iron within 2 feet of the cup for another birdie and a two-stroke lead.
Francesco Molinari began the day with a two-shot advantage over Woods and Tony Finau. But the Italian self-destructed on the back side, dunking two balls in the water on the way to double-bogeys at the 12th and 15th holes.
This is the first time Woods has ever come from behind on the final day to win a major championship, leaving him three behind Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles.
"A big `well done' from me to Tiger," Nicklaus tweeted. "I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic!!!"
The Associated Press contributed to this report.