(ANSA) - Rome, April 15 - Tiger Woods is a Masters champion
again, 14 years after the last time.
Woods, 43, on Sunday donned the fifth "Green jacket" of his
career at the Augusta National in Georgia, capturing his 15th
major tournament with a win that ended a decade-long downturn
and returned him to the top of the golf world.
The Californian star called it one the most important
successes of his career - "one of the biggest wins I've ever
had" - after he thought about retiring following four back
surgeries.
Sunday was meant to be Francesco Molinari's day.
Molinari, 36, appeared set to win the 2019 Masters,
particularly after a hot start that saw him burying key putts to
stay ahead of Woods.
However, his downturn started on the back nine as he double
bogeyed the par-3 12th and then did the same on the par-5 15th.
Woods had not won a Major since 2008 at the US Open in Torrey
Pines, California.
His turning point was at the 15th hole of the Augusta
National, where he proceeded to win his 15th Major, nearing Jack
Nicklaus's record 18 victories.
Woods's 72-hole score of 13-under 275 was one point ahead of
fellow Americans Dustin Johnson - who is ready to retake the
lead in the world ranking - Books Koepka and Xander Schauffele,
who ended up second with 276 (-12).
He was two points ahead of "Chicco" Molinari, Jason Day, Tony
Finau and Webb Simpson, all fifth (277, -11).
Woods received the green jacket from 2018 champion Patrick
Reed to the standing ovation of a crowd of 40,000 spectators in
Augusta who witnessed a new chapter in the star's legendary
career.
He won a 2.07 million-dollar prize, which is part of an 11.5
million purse for the tournament.
Just 17 months ago, Woods was stuck in 1,199th place in the
world ranking while now he is in the Top 10, a first since 2011.
Molinari, who beat him three times in Paris in the US-Europe
challenge, was a protagonist in Georgia, achieving his best
result at the top tournament after his 19th position in 2012.
The champion became the first Italian golfer to lead the
Masters.
He was also the first player in 25 years to register 49
consecutive holes without dropping a shot, one shy of the
Masters record.