It was one of those sports endings that will stick in the memory banks for years. Tuck it alongside those sepia-toned ones of a young Tiger Woods hugging his father at the 1997 Masters. Or the Tiger fist pump at the 2008 U.S. Open.
"It's got to be right up there — right? — with all the things I've been able to battle through," Woods said after winning his fifth Masters and 15th major tournament. But this one was different. Woods spoke of being "lucky" and "fortunate enough to do this again."
And when it was clear that he needed only to play conservative golf to close out the tournament on 18, the reaction was a little more emotional than one might expect. Maybe it was the flashback to all those tearful, post-victory hugs with his dad. Perhaps the realization that Woods is 43 had something to do with it. He hadn't won a Masters in 14 years and maybe, because we're all older now, too, we know that these moments of sports greatness are precious and rare. Perhaps we could all appreciate a man who has overcome personal demons and injuries along the way.
Back when Woods was going through personal troubles, Nike stood by him and the company quickly posted a tribute to Woods's victory today.
