14 years on, Augusta National saw again what a Tiger he can be

By Rahul Banerji

Tiger Woods roared. And Augusta National roared back at him, for him, with him, They packed the fairways and greens 15, 20 rows deep, in the thousands hoping to witness a miracle. And they got nothing less on a thundery Sunday afternoon.

There was electricity at the venerable golf club, in the air, on the ground as the riveting action unfolded after an early start. In an unprecedented move, Augusta National had advanced the traditional handing of the green jacket to the new champion and moved it indoors to what is called the Butler Cabin where 2018 winner Patrick Reed waited with committee members to complete the formality.

And that is exactly what it turned out to be, with Tiger Woods needing only a one-foot bogey putt to seal his fifth US Masters title and a 15^th major overall.

In the group ahead, Brooks Koepka could have extended the battle but his birdie putt on the 18^th drifted wide of the cup, leaving Tiger the time, space and luxury of a dropped shot to end a 14-year wait for the green jacket.

Big break

It was the longest gap between Masters wins, extending by one year the previous record of Gary Player. It was also Tiger’s 81^st PGA Tour title and his first major since the US Open of 2008.

So they waited. Former champions, contemporaries, and many younger stars who had not seen Tiger Woods in his pomp. To Koepka, Xander Schauffle, Tony Finau, Tiger Woods is one reason they are what they are.  Ian Poulter doffed his cap to the champion. Trevor Immelman looked lost for words.

Also waiting were his mother Kultida, and his children, daughter Sam Alexis, 11 and son Charlie Axel, 10. Twenty-two years ago Tiger Woods had walked into the arms of his father Earl after his audacious 12-shot win at Augusta.

This time, he was the daddy, balding, all of 43 and finally able to show his kids that their old man was more than just talk and nostalgia.

Full circle

“To have my kids there, it’s come full circle,” Tiger said. “My dad was here in 1997 and now I’m the dad with two kids there. It’s overwhelming just because I was very lucky just to be playing again.

“It will be up there with one of the hardest with all I’ve had to win because of what transpired in the last couple of years.

“I’m a little hoarse from yelling. I was just trying to plod my way around all day. All of a sudden I had the lead. Coming up 18 it was just trying to make a five. When I tapped in I don’t know what I did, I know I screamed.

“I think the kids are starting to understand how much this game means to me, and some of the things I’ve done in the game,” Woods said. “Prior to the comeback, they only knew that golf caused me a lot of pain.

“If I tried to swing a club I would be on the ground. I struggled for years, and that’s basically all they remember.”

Titanic struggle

Like the comeback from back fusion surgery, tt had been a titanic battle all Sunday morning. Overnight leader by two shots, Francesco Molinari was unrelenting. But even his demeanor cracked as the Tiger roars grew ever louder and he was the find water twice in the space of three holes. The granite-hard Italian was out.

There still was work to be done. Dustin Johnson joined the battle alongside Koepka and Schauffele. Another charger Bryson DeChambeau had fallen off the pace but the three big-hitting Americans kept coming till almost the very end.

But for Tiger, this final charge was no longer about long hitting. It was keeping the ball safe, out of trouble as far as possible.

Thus, the laser-guided irons and wedges, and the nerveless putter that Jack Nicklaus had foreseen on Friday and predicted would eventually be the difference flowed. Gone was the uncertainty, anxiety and pain of the past two years, when he had to take nerve-blockers just to attend to Augusta traditions.

“At the previous champions dinner I was really struggling and missed a couple of years playing in this great tournament and now be champion with 22 years between the wins. My mum was here and she was here in 97 as well,” added Tiger.

This was the first time Woods had come from behind in the final round to win a major. Also, it was the fourth out of five times that he had carded a 2-under 70 on opening Thursday, and gone on to win at Augusta.

It was epic. It was emotional. It was to be.

Final top standings and prize-money: 1. Tiger Woods (-13,, $2,070,000); T2: Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Xander Schauffele (-12, $858,667), Jason Day, Tony Finau, Francesco Molinari, Webb Simpson (-11, $403,938); T9: Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm (-10, $310,500).

Also read: What you want to know about Augusta National and the Masters