Tiger Woods crowned 'Comeback King' after his first major victory since 2008
Dramatic comebacks are usually the stuff of sports movies, complete with sweeping music and tearful embraces. But Sunday, America witnessed one, IRL.
That's when Tiger Woods won the Masters, the most important of all annual golf tournaments, at the Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia. It was the embattled sports legend's first major victory since 2008, and first Master's win since 2005. Fans across the internet, and Tiger Woods himself, appear to be joyously bowled over by what's being hailed as one of the greatest sports comebacks of all time.
A comeback for the ages. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Errkvqh4He
— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 14, 2019
The leaderboard packed with the best players in the world. The setting historic. The conditions dramatic. The play exceptional. And in the end, Tiger Woods won. If that wasn’t the best day in golf history it was pretty damn close. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ZvCj7J83jN
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 14, 2019
Today I gathered my 3 boys Henry 7, Sam 5, and Theo 2 to watch Tiger Woods win #TheMasters...We high fived, cheered, and hugged all morning...and then their Dad cried...For as long as I live I will remember and cherish this morning
Congratulations @TigerWoods & THANK YOU— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) April 14, 2019
When Tiger Woods rose to fame and prominence in the 1990s, he helped turn golf into a sport that a mainstream audience actually cared about. The fact that he was a black golfer also helped open up the sport for future POC athletes, and fans, who might never have connected with the often elitist, whitewashed sport otherwise.
Many have said that Tiger Woods changed golf forever.
Who has done more for a sport than Tiger Woods?
Tiger is Golf.— Alexander Bruesewitz (@alexbruesewitz) April 14, 2019
During the height of his career, Tiger won 14 major tournaments, and four Masters. But his star began to fall in 2009 when his wife divorced him amid cheating allegations, and a series of porn stars and other consorts came forward throughout 2010 to reveal their illicit relationships with the superstar golfer. Over the next few years, Woods suffered from multiple injuries and surgeries — and also was charged with a DUI after crashing his Mercedes in 2017.
The fall from grace was particularly hard to stomach for fans who idolized his singular talent and the way he had changed golf. Adding to that disappointment were four back surgeries, and multiple other debilitating injuries, that caused Tiger to approach comebacks, only to drop out or fail over the last few years.
Now, fans — including the likes of Serena Williams, Steph Curry, and Michael Phelps — got to share in Tiger's redemption on Sunday.
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 (@serenawilliams) April 14, 2019
Greatest comeback story in sports! Congrats @TigerWoods Let me hold one of those 5 jackets one time!
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) April 14, 2019
Michael Phelps cheering on Tiger
Legends. pic.twitter.com/9vicCvwRUL— Brad Kelly (@BradKelly17) April 14, 2019
The V stands for Victory
— This is what it's all about. (@GuardianPrinny) April 14, 2019
Jack Nicklaus, the only golfer who has won more majors than Tiger Woods, also congratulated Woods on his comeback. Nicklaus is the oldest player to have ever won the Masters, at 46; Tiger, at 43, is now the second oldest.
A big “well done” from me to @TigerWoods! I am so happy for him and for the game of golf. This is just fantastic!!! 👏🏼@TheMasters
— Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) April 14, 2019
Woods' victory even united President Trump and President Obama. Who doesn't love an American comeback story?
Congratulations to @TigerWoods., a truly Great Champion!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2019
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 (@BarackObama) April 14, 2019
Tiger's win was by no means a sure thing. Some betting houses lost big thanks to the rogue sports betters who took the long odds and put it all on Tiger to win.
On Tuesday, an unidentified bettor went into a William Hill sportsbook in Southern Nevada and put $85,000 on Tiger to win the Masters. That bettor just won $1.19 million. https://t.co/jrfp8BA7Yl
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) April 14, 2019
Twitter and media reports were largely devoid of criticism of the player for his past indiscretions. Culturally, many people are grappling with how to consider the work and legacy of people (mostly men) who turn out to be, well, shitty (or much worse).
Tiger is a lot like America. He’s awful, he’s awesome, he’s got addictions, he’s thrilled us, embarrassed us, he’s lied, he’s cheated, he’s the best ever, and he’s all of ours whether we like it or not. There was little faith he could be fixed, but there was faith. And it worked.
— Darren Sands (@darrensands) April 14, 2019
It seemed that, on Sunday, America was just in need of a redemption story, and a happy ending. Watching Tiger at the Master's, it got one.