The roars could be heard so loud and clear that even the approaching wicked storms expected over the Augusta National were forced to stay away allowing Tiger Woods to steal the thunder instead.

And Woods admitted to screaming with joy as he won his fifth Masters and 15thMajor — two marks that seemed to have stopped at four and 14 for ages.

Winners never forget winning, they say. But even then, 14 years since the last Green Jacket and 11 years since the last Major is indeed a long time. More so when you fill in those years with personal problems, four surgeries, re-done knee and countless other woes.

Those were the years, when he winced with pain while walking, golf clubs were used as walking stick and neither medicine nor compassion could soothe him. It is easy to give up at that time, for his body of work, pun unintended, had already booked his place in the pantheons of history.

He kept wavering between hope and despair, sometimes sure he could get back to golf, and sometimes convinced he could not. Two years ago he came for the Champions Dinner at Augusta National, a place he calls home. But he was in pain, even while sitting down. He even told one of the other champions, that he was done. But he was clearly not. On Sunday proved it to himself what he had probably believed at the back of his mind — that he could back to winning.

Scripting one of the finest comeback stories, he added an 81st PGA Tour win and got within one of the records of 82 held by Sam Snead. Records are fine, but they are mere footnotes in this amazing tale of grit, perseverance and determination. Taking possession of sole lead for the first time on the 15th, the 69th hole of the Masters, he held on and when he came to the 18th tee he was armed with a two-shot lead. Yet, he played like a champion, and had a 14-foot putt for a final par but he could afford to miss it and tap-in for a win, whose celebrations could be heard all over the golfing world and one that would be talked about for ages to come.

Dream win

Amidst cheers from fans, Woods, unable to keep is eyes, hugged his children, son Charlie and daughter Sam; mother Kutilda and girlfriend, Erica Herman, and was then lost in a crowd of friends.

The Augusta National had brought forward the tee times and even resorted to threesomes from first and tenth tees. In the end even the weather Gods bypassed Augusta National, lest they play spoilsport. The comeback, which began at the Hero World Challenge in December 2017, was now complete. And waiting for him at the Magnolia Suite was Pawan Munjal, a sponsor, who has become a friend. One who believed in his ability to come back and win. He signed him in 2014 and re-signed him last year. Woods reposed that faith in ample measures and he met his friend and sponsor for a picture that would be a testimony of one’s belief in another, whichever way you look at it. World No 1 again and Jack Nicklaus’ 18 Majors, two milestones, once far off in a foggy terrain, are now within sight.

Woods’ amazing effort reduced everything else to a sideshow, but it was not like that. Francesco Molinari, who seemed to have a measure of him, crumbled on the back nine. A dip into the water at 12th at the Amen Corner, left him with a slim chance, which disappeared with a another trip to water on 15. Woods buried Molinari’s hopes with a birdie that effected a three-shot swing. Molinari was gone. Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson all came up to 12-under, but Woods already at 14-under came down to 13-under with a final bogey, but that sufficed for the dream win.

Woods totalled 13-under to win by one over Johnson, Schauffele and Koepka (70). Molinari finished T-6th at 11-under in the company of Webb Simpson, Jason Day, and Tony Finau, who were all Tied-sixth.

Woods, for whom this was the first come-from-behind Major win, admitted, “To win again here is overwhelming just because of what has transpired over the last couple of years. It’s unreal.”

“This tournament has meant so much to me over the years, coming here in ’95 for the first time as amateur; winning in ’97, and then coming full circle, 22 years later, to do it again,” he said. “This tournament has meant so much to me and my family, and to have everyone here, it’s something I’ll never, ever forget.” he said. “My dad (Earl) shouldn’t have come in ’97. I mean, he had heart complications, and wasn’t supposed to fly, but he flew and came. Gave me a putting lesson on Wednesday night, and the rest is history.”

“My dad’s no longer here, but my mom’s here, 22 years later, and I happen to win the tournament; and then to have both Sam and Charlie here, they were there at the British Open last year when I had the lead on that back nine, and I made a few mistakes, cost myself a chance to win the Open title. I wasn’t going to let that happen to them twice, and so for them to see what it’s like to have their dad win a major championship, I hope that’s something they will never forget.”

It was a moment that will stay for ever with everyone fortunate to have been there at Augusta National. Where were you, when Tiger won his fifth Green Jacket and 15th Major? I know where I was.

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