Tiger Woods has confidently strode the green onto the 18th inexperienced 1000's of occasions. Lots of of these have been earlier than raucous crowds at main tournaments cheering wildly for the enduring golfer.

In Sunday's ultimate spherical of the 2022 Masters, he obtained the identical thunderous applause on the 18th, besides this time it was completely different. He wasn't in competition for a title. His stride not as assured. His face confirmed grimace. He regarded mentally and bodily exhausted. He slowly walked off the course in forty seventh place after a four-round whole of 13-over par.

It could be the most effective moments of his life.

Woods broke a number of bones in his proper leg virtually 14 months in the past throughout a automobile crash in California. Many feared that Woods did not survive the crash, which authorities decided was brought on by driving at a excessive price of pace. A seat belt saved his life, they stated.

Woods fractured his fibula in addition to each the higher and decrease parts of his tibia. His ankle bones have been broken and the smooth tissue and muscle across the bones had trauma. Reconstructive surgical procedure concerned screws, pins and rods to stabilize his leg. Mixed with a nagging again damage via the years, it appeared his skilled golfing profession was over.

At the least he was alive.

Tiger Woods at 2022 Masters
Tiger Woods waves to the gang on the 18th inexperienced after ending his spherical in the course of the ultimate spherical of the Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on April 10, 2022 in Augusta, Georgia. Photograph by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs

He returned to Augusta this week to play within the Masters, a event he is received 5 earlier occasions, together with a memorable comeback for the 2019 title.

This was his first event in 17 months, which was the tip of the 2020 season. Woods this week stated he would not play until he felt like he might win one other inexperienced jacket. He teed off Thursday morning towards the very best golfers on this planet, on one of the vital demanding golf programs on this planet.

Woods did not use a golf cart. He legged out the 7,475-yard course (a mile lengthy) for 4 straight days on a bum leg. He winced every time he bent over to position the ball on the tee or to retrieve it from the opening.

He completed the primary spherical at 1-under par and in nineteenth place. He shot 2-over par on Friday to make the weekend reduce. His journey continued with a 6-over par 78 on a chilly and blustery Saturday after which one other plus-6 on Sunday. He wanted 4 putts on the ultimate gap Saturday to double bogey on 18. He was nonetheless upbeat after the third spherical. By the 18th gap on Sunday, he regarded spent.

Nonetheless, his stroll on the 18th fairway, and as much as the inexperienced, set off a rousing standing ovation from a packed crowd that after most likely thought they'd by no means see Woods compete once more.

Woods most likely wanted this Masters event greater than the Masters wanted him. Followers cheered him every of the 4 days—at each gap he performed.

The cheering and assist is probably going a remedy that may't be present in a hospital or clinic. The actual-life train for a 46-year previous physique could be higher than any rehab facility.

Former President Donald Trump even despatched his congratulations to Woods following Sunday's spherical.

"Nice job by Tiger Woods within the Masters, a real champion!" Trump wrote.

Woods hasn't declared if he'll play many tournaments, and even the subsequent main, which is the PGA Championship subsequent month in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has stated he'll play The Open Championship this July at St. Andrews in Scotland.

For now, Woods is simply grateful to be again in a event.

"I maintain saying it, however I'm," Woods stated. "I actually am. I really am. Simply to get thus far."

"I do not assume phrases can actually describe that given the place I used to be just a little over a 12 months in the past and what my prospects have been at the moment to finish up right here and have the ability to play in all 4 rounds," he stated Sunday. "Even a month in the past, I did not know if I might pull this off. I feel it was a constructive, and I've bought some work to do and looking out ahead to it."

He is lastly getting again to regular life. One thing he considers so treasured.