By U.B. Acharya

In a dramatic and exciting fashion, the 43-year-old Tiger Woods won his 5th Masters Title and in the process, won his 15th Major on Apr.14, 2019 at the Augusta National Golf Club in USA.

It is particularly significant that his last major victory was in 2008 and since then he had a slump in his form and subsequently, he went through an expensive divorce followed by career ending multiple spine surgeries. It is to his immense credit that he worked hard and got back to his original form and won against all odds. His first Masters victory was way back in 1997 as a young 21-year-old lad.

In the past 14 victories, he was always the leader at the end of the third day and he just kept his nose above the water and bagged the trophy. However, during this Tournament,

Tiger was two strokes behind the leader at the end of the third round but played superbly (4 under) to win by a stroke against three other equally good players.

The Masters Tournament is one of the four Major Golf Championships in professional golf. Unlike other three Major Tournaments which rotate from course to course every year, this Tournament is held every year in the month of April at the same venue, namely Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in the State of Georgia, USA.

This Tournament was started by the legendary golfer Bobby Jones and an investment banker Clifford Roberts in 1934. From 1949 onwards, a Green Jacket is being awarded to the winner and every year all the past champions get together for a celebration dinner on the Tuesday prior to the Tournament wearing their Green Jacket!

The great Jack Nicklaus has won six Masters Titles followed now by Tiger with five and Arnold Palmer with four. It is interesting to mention here that the same Nicklaus has won 18 Major titles which is still the record. With Tiger’s victory for his 15th title, some ‘Pundits’ are predicting that he is likely to match if not overtake Nicklaus’ record haul!

After his victory, Jack Nicklaus, Barrak Obama and tennis player Serena Williams have sent congratulations to him.