AUGUSTA, April 15
Tiger Woods, with his Masters victory on Sunday, added the longevity label to a career that has changed the face of golf both on and off the course. In ending an 11-year Major drought by winning the Masters, Woods collected his 15th Major title, 22 years and a day after it all began in the very same place at Augusta National.
He had long ago cemented his reputation as playing the greatest golf of all time — highlighted by a 12-stroke triumph here in 1997 and a 15-shot victory at the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach — as distinct from having the greatest record ever.
That, as defined by Major victories, belongs to Jack Nicklaus, whose 18 Major victories were spread over 24 years, from the 1962 US Open to the 1986 Masters.
Now Woods, 43, can claim similar longevity. For a record total of 683 weeks, he occupied top spot in the world rankings. And from August 1999 to June 2002 he claimed seven Majors in just 11 starts and became the first to hold all four modern Major titles at the same time.
He also has 81 PGA Tour victories, one shy of the all-time mark held by Sam Snead. Allied to his incredible physical skills, Woods has unshakable self-belief and an ability to completely shut out the distractions that come with the territory as one of the world’s most famous sportsmen.
Woods ushered in an era of multi-million dollar endorsements and was almost single-handedly responsible for a prize money explosion on the PGA Tour, while his Afro-American and Asian roots helped spread the sport to a huge global audience.
Many of the players he beat on Sunday were inspired as young boys to emulate Woods. At 43, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Sunday’s victory will be his final Major triumph.
But with a surgically-fused back that is allowing him to generate almost as much power as 20 years ago, it would be brave to bet against a man who has already done the seemingly impossible time and time again.
Chasing Nicklaus
The Woods Major watch, stagnant for so long that it had almost been abandoned, is back on and Nicklaus might yet be proved correct.
As the years ticked by from 2008 and an injury-riddled Woods got stuck for more than a decade on 14 Major titles, the “Golden Bear” kept saying he still thought his mark was in jeopardy.
Such talk, while Woods battled a potentially career-ending back injury, was widely dismissed as little more than politeness from someone who could hardly say anything else. But in winning the Masters, Woods crept within three of catching Nicklaus.
“Nobody wants their record to be broken, but I certainly wouldn’t want Tiger to be hurt and not able to do it,” Nicklaus said. “He’s got me shaking in my boots!”
Though the odds are still against Woods, who is racing against Father Time as well as the fused spine that could cause more problems, it is no longer inconceivable to imagine him winning three or four Majors. The next two are at venues well suited to his game and where he has won — the PGA Championship at Bethpage and the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach.
His peers think Sunday’s victory could loosen the dam wall, if not completely open the floodgates. Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas, neighbours in south Florida who often play with Woods, expressed a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
“It keeps 18 (Majors) in play,” Fowler said. “I don’t doubt that this is going to be his most special one yet.”
Thomas acknowledged he had needed to be convinced Woods could win another Major. “I thought today (Sunday) was going to be big in how he handled it,” said the 2017 PGA Championship winner. “He’s been there a lot, more than anyone, but it had been a while since he had a chance to win here.”
More immediately, Woods can become the most prolific winner in PGA Tour history.
Woods could tie Snead’s record of 82 victories as soon as next month, at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Woods, however, preferred to savour his fifth Green Jacket. “I don’t know if he’s worried or not,” Woods said when asked whether Nicklaus should be concerned at being caught. “I’m just enjoying 15.” — Reuters
All hail Woods!
A truly Great Champion! Congratulations, Tiger! To come back and win the Masters after all the highs and lows is a testament to excellence, grit, and determination. Barack Obama, former us president
I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy. Serena Williams, tennis star
A big ‘well done’ from me to @TigerWoods! I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic! Jack Nicklaus, golf legend
For most an impossible task. But not for you. Congratulations Tiger. So special for you and your family. So great for the game of golf. Simply unbelievable. Gary Player, golf legend
Very few people really know what @TigerWoods has been thru to get back to this point. So cool seeing him with Tida, Sam, Charlie, Erica and the rest of the team behind 18 green. Couldn’t be happier for him! What a great day for golf! Rory McIlroy, four-time major champion
A big BIG congratulations to @TigerWoods for winning the Masters!! The roar of the Tiger is back!
Magic Johnson, basketball legend
Greatest comeback story in sports! Congrats @TigerWoods Let me hold one of those 5 jackets one time! Stephen Curry, three-time nba champion
I can’t thank my family, friends and fans enough for their support. Having my family by my side today is something I will never forget. Tiger Woods
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2v4YnqV
via Today’s News Headlines
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