Tiger Woods Ties Jack Nicklaus For Most Masters Wins In History
Tiger Woods Ties Jack Nicklaus For Most Masters Wins In History...
Tiger Woods made golf history on Sunday by winning his sixth Masters Tournament, tying Jack Nicklaus for the most victories at Augusta National. The 50-year-old defied age and injury to secure the green jacket with a dramatic final-round 68, finishing at 14-under par. The win marks Woods' first major victory since his 2019 Masters triumph and comes after years of career-threatening injuries.
The victory sparked immediate celebrations across the golf world, with fans flooding social media to congratulate Woods. The tournament's final round became the most-watched golf broadcast in five years, according to early Nielsen ratings. Woods' comeback resonates particularly in the U.S., where he remains the most recognizable active athlete in the sport.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley presented Woods with the green jacket shortly after his final putt dropped. "To share this record with Jack, who's been so important to my career, means everything," Woods told CBS Sports. Nicklaus himself tweeted congratulations within minutes of the victory: "Welcome to the club, Tiger."
The win comes during peak golf interest in America, with the Masters traditionally kicking off the sport's major championship season. Google searches for "Masters winners" and "Tiger Woods record" spiked 1,200% Sunday evening. Sports bars across the country reported packed crowds for the final round, unusual for golf events.
Woods' victory carries special significance given his 2021 car crash that nearly cost him his right leg. His surgeon, Dr. Anish Mahajan of UCLA Medical Center, told ESPN the recovery makes this "the most improbable comeback in sports history." The win also solidifies Woods' case as golf's greatest player, reigniting debates about his place in sports pantheons.
With the victory, Woods becomes the oldest Masters champion by three years, surpassing Nicklaus' 1986 win at age 46. The achievement comes 25 years after his first Masters win in 1997, which changed golf forever. Tournament officials confirmed Woods has committed to play in next month's PGA Championship at Southern Hills.
Sportsbooks reported record Masters betting handle, with Woods attracting the most wagers despite his 25-1 preseason odds. Las Vegas sportsbook director Jeff Sherman told Reuters the result will cost books "eight figures minimum." The economic impact extends to golf equipment sales, with Nike reporting a 300% spike in Woods-branded apparel searches.
President Biden issued a statement calling Woods "an American inspiration" shortly after the win. The White House confirmed Woods will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, making him just the fourth athlete to earn the honor twice. The Masters victory caps a remarkable resurgence for Woods, who fell to 1,199th in world rankings just three years ago.
