Roaring back: Tiger Woods wins Masters to clinch first major since 2008

Golfing great Tiger Woods claimed his first major in more than a decade as he won the Masters at Augusta National to cap what is arguably one of the greatest comeback stories in sporting history.

Woods finished on 13 under par, one shot ahead of the chasing pack on an astonishing final day at the hallowed course in Georgia on Sunday. 

The major is 43-year-old Woods’ first since his 2008 US Open victory and his first at the Masters since 2005.

It moves him onto 15 majors overall - three behind Jack Nicklaus' record tally of 18 - and caps an incredible return after a barren spell punctuated by injuries during which many feared one of the sport’s all-time greats would never return.

But return Woods has, and backed by huge support, he captured another major on a day of incredible tension at Augusta National.

Woods headed into the final round in second place on the leaderboard on 11 under par, two shots behind Italy’s Francesco Molinari, with tee times brought forward as a storm edged ominously closer to the famous Augusta course.

Molinari and Woods both played out a solid front nine before Woods came through a crowded field – which saw around a dozen players still in contention at one stage – with a brilliant back nine performance to card a final round score of 70 and end on 13 under par.

Woods had never come from behind to clinch a major on the final day, but dressed in his traditional last round colors of red, he broke out on the final nine as challengers including Molinari fell away.

Italian Molinari eventually ended in a group tied for fifth on 11 under for the tournament, while Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Xander Schauffele were tied for second on 12 under.   

Woods’ experience, composure and incredible talent shone through as he sank back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to move him into a two-shot lead, and while he bogeyed the last it was enough to see him claim his fifth green jacket amid incredible scenes as he celebrated with his family at Augusta.