SIDELINES
THE fairytale comeback is complete.
On Sunday at Augusta National, Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods won the 2019 Masters, his first Major since 2008 and his 15th overall. He finished on 13-under par, one stroke ahead of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.
At age 43 Woods becomes the second oldest player in Masters history to win the tournament after the triumph of Jack Nicklaus in 1986 at 46.
Such was the manner of this incredible victory, where a more controlled Tiger moved almost flawlessly through the field, picking off all the major contenders, it’s hard not to see him close the gap on Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors.
Woods ‘dramatic fall from grace began in 2009 with his well-documented domestic crisis and debilitating knee and back injuries.
Here was a man once revered like no other, then reviled like no other. Someone who had it all, then lost it all. A man who was broken physically, crushed mentally and on the scrapheap of professional sport.
Entering his early forties, with spinal fusion and countless back and knee surgeries taking their toll, many commentators doubted if he’d ever be able to swing a golf club again, let alone play competitive golf. But like him or loathe him, Woods possesses a unique personality and steely drive and determination, qualities I suspect he always knew would give him one last opportunity at sporting redemption.
As recently as two years ago Woods’ career and personal life were still in deep turmoil. He underwent a fourth back surgery - by his own admission, one last throw of the dice to allow him to simply play pain-free with his children and sit upright at the dinner table.
A few weeks later he was arrested near his Florida home after being found asleep at the wheel of his car with five different types of drugs in his system. Woods claimed they were all prescription painkillers. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation. The final nail in the coffin of the once great Tiger perhaps?
Not so. He came back to prominence last year with two top-10 Major finishes in the Open and PGA, both of which he briefly led on the final days. Then in September he claimed his first tournament victory since 2013 with a win at the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta. Thousands of fans spilled out onto the 18th fairway chanting ‘Tiger, Tiger’ to follow him to victory.
Despite all his frailties and past misdemeanours, Tiger still enjoys a special place in the hearts and minds of the sporting public. Maybe it’s because the ordinary fan can resonate so easily with him.
When a youthful and athletic Woods emerged on the world stage in the mid Nineties he changed the direction of the sport forever. His insistence that golf was an athletic pursuit rather than a casual pastime altered the sports dynamic and attracted a different type of player to the game.
That he was black, in a sport of traditional white dominance, was also pertinent. Barriers such as age, race or social background were less relevant than before. Tiger helped attract this new generation to the game and they’re now delighted and overjoyed to see him back.
In round one on Thursday Tiger remained in touch with the leaders with a steady rather than spectacular 70. He moved to a tie for sixth with a 68 on Friday before shooting 67 in round three to ensure he would play in Sunday’s final grouping.
The expected thunderstorms changed the traditional final day format and timings. Tiger took full advantage and several players, including the erstwhile consistent Francesco Molinari, struggled with Woods in their rear-view mirror on the back nine.
Tiger coasted home in the final five or six holes and could even afford the luxury of a lay-up bogie at the last to claim his 15th Major. The crowd celebrated wildly.
Apart from the receding hairline he looked like the Tiger of old, only with a little more calmness and humility.
Tiger Woods is the greatest story in sport at the moment and the only thing that will top it is if he can run down the legendary Jack Nicklaus’ 18. Have you checked the odds?