Tiger Woods on Masters victory: ‘It’s going to take a bit of time to sink in’

“Surreal.”

That is how Tiger Woods attempted to describe an extraordinary Sunday. A fifth green jacket, his first major win in 11 years; a story that the world had resigned itself to never seeing again.

It has already been coined by many as the greatest sporting comeback of them all – a journey that has included career-saving spinal fusion surgery and a tumultuous series of personal problems that threatened to bring an end to the career of a golfing icon.

READ: How Tiger Woods’ 15th major has Jack Nicklaus ‘shaking in his boots’

Woods celebrates after sinking the putt that clinched a fifth Masters title -- 14 years after his last.

As he completed a composed two-putt on the 18th for – almost certainly – the greatest bogey of his distinguished career, he thrust his arms aloft, his club above his head. He gave a trademark fist-pump, before taking the acclaim of his playing partners, all accompanied by a fervent roar from an adoring public.

Then, he found his family. It was an image for the ages – the completion of a cycle that many feared would never reach its natural end. Woods famously embraced his late father Earl after winning his first Masters in 1997. Now, Woods – the father – was embracing his children, his mother, his girlfriend and anyone else in his vicinity.

“I did the same thing to my dad and now I’m the dad with my son doing the same thing,” he reflected to CNN’s Andy Scholes. “It’s amazing how life evolves, changes.

Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and 15th major title with victory at Augusta in April.

The former world No. 1 had not won the Masters since 2005, and it was his first major win since 2008.

A month after winning the Masters, Woods received the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Donald Trump.

Woods won the season-ending Tour Championship in September 2018. It was his first title in five years following a succession of back injuries.

Signs that Woods was back to his best were obvious at August's PGA Championship, where he finished runner-up to Brooks Koepka. It followed an impressive showing at July's British Open, where he briefly topped the leaderboard.

Woods made an impressive return to competitive golf in 2018 after multiple back surgeries in recent years. He played his first Masters in three years in April 2018.

The four-time champion had back fusion surgery -- his fourth procedure -- in April 2017 and returned to the game pain-free in December. He finished tied 32nd at Augusta.

Woods was touted as one of the favorites after impressing in his early-season events. He also set tongues wagging by playing a practice round with old rival Phil Mickelson, right.

Woods finished tied second at the Valspar Championship in March 2018 and followed it up with a tie for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. The hype needle moved into overdrive.

Woods set out on his legendary path by becoming the youngest winner of the Masters -- at 21 -- with a record 12-shot win in 1997.

One of his most remarkable feats was winning his first US Open by an unprecedented 15 shots at Pebble Beach, California, in 2000, sparking a streak never seen before or since.

Woods' victory in the 2001 Masters meant he held all four of golf's major titles at the same time, dubbed the "Tiger Slam."

Woods' win rate, his dedication to fitness training and his desire to succeed were changing golf. Prize money rocketed because of Woods. Off the course, he married girlfriend Elin Nordegren in 2004.

Woods showed rare emotion when he broke down in tears on the shoulder of caddie Steve Williams following his win in the 2006 British Open at Hoylake, months after his father and mentor Earl passed away.

Despite being visibly hampered and in pain from a knee injury, Woods won the US Open in breathtaking fashion at Torrey Pines, California, in 2008. It was his 14th major title to leave him only four behind the record of Jack Nicklaus. He was later diagnosed with knee ligament damage and two fractures of his left tibia. He missed the rest of the season after surgery. It is still his last major title.

In December 2009, Woods crashed his car into a fire hydrant outside his home. As the big picture emerged it was discovered Woods had been conducting a series of extra martial affairs. He took three months away from the game to sort out his private life.

In February 2010 Woods addressed the world's media to explain and apologise for his actions. His infidelity led to divorce and was the beginning of a downhill slide in Woods' playing career. By October he lost the world No. 1 ranking, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks

Back in the fold, Woods earned his first win in two years at the Chevron World Challenge in December 2011, a charity tournament he hosts that does not count on the PGA Tour money list.

Woods was back in the winner's circle in 2013, lifting five titles, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, to get back to the top of the rankings.

In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced they were dating on Facebook. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following.

Later in 2013 there were signs all was not well as Woods was seen to be in pain as he picked the ball out of the hole at the Barclays tournament in August. He missed the Masters the following April for the first time since 1994 to undergo back surgery.

Woods pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open in February 2015, and struggled with injury and form for the rest of the season.

Woods cut a dejected figure at that year's US Open as he struggled with his game and carded rounds of 80 and 76 to miss the cut.

In August 2015 Woods made his last appearance for 15 months to undergo follow-up back surgeries. At one stage during his rehabilitation, Woods spoke of there being "no light at the end of the tunnel" -- and with one eye on his fading career, he suggested "everything beyond this will be gravy."

Woods made a much-anticipated return to golf in December 2016, showing signs of promise with the highest number of birdies in the field -- 24 -- but he also made a number of costly errors to finish third from last in the 18-man event.

He missed the cut in his first event of 2017 in the US and pulled out after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February, citing back spasms. He underwent a fourth back prodecure in April.

The golf legend was arrested Monday, May 29, on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked into a local jail in Florida and released a few hours later. He said in a statement he had "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications."

In August Woods entered a first-offender program and pleaded guilty to reckless driving on October 28. He will avoid jail unless he commits major violations of his probation.

Woods returned to golf after 301 days at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on November 30 2017. He carded a three-under first-round 69 and appeared pain-free and hungry to resume his career.

Tiger Woods: From highs to lows

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“That was 22 years ago, when my dad was there and then now my son’s there, my daughter was there, my mom’s there. My mom was there 22 years ago and the fact that she’s still around, still kicking, still fighting, goes to show you her resiliency.

“It’s hard to comprehend right now. I mean, honestly it’s only been a few hours out of winning the tournament. I’m still trying to enjoy it and figure out that I actually won it.

“I know I have the green jacket on but it’s just, it’s still, I think it’s going to take a little bit of time to sink in.”

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The battle for glory

Midway through Woods’ fourth round, it was a dream that looked like coming up short. Francesco Molinari – the American’s scourge at the 2018 Open Championship – looked like holding him off yet again.

But as the Italian found water on the perilous 12th hole and Woods located the heart of the green, it represented a changing of the tide rarely seen. A path opened up and the atmosphere on the famous old course changed as Augusta’s patrons began not just to hope, but to believe.

Woods, of course, had never lost faith. Champions always believe, and there have been few serial winners more ruthless than this golfer, whose significance has long-since transcended the game of golf.

Day four —

Tiger Woods punched the air to tumultuous applause and chants of "Tiger, Tiger" as he sealed his 15th major title.

Woods was bidding for a fifth Green Jacket, 14 years after his last.

Alongside Woods chasing leader Francesco Molinari were Justin Harding (left) of South Africa and American Xander Schauffele.

Former US PGA champion Jason Day of Australia was also in contention.

Day three —

Italy's British Open champion Molinari was the leader after three rounds at Augusta.

Woods was two shots back and within touching distance of a fifth Green Jacket and 15th major title.

American Tony Finau sat alongside Woods. Finau dislocated his ankle in the par-3 contest ahead of his debut in last year's Masters.

Masters patrons were treated to an electric day of golf at Augusta Saturday.

Saturday is known as Moving Day and if you weren't going forwards you were going backwards.

England's Ian Poulter played alongside Woods and said afterwards it had been "fun."

Hospitality at Augusta is famous for offering affordable food and beverage options.

Finau was the first player in the field to reach 10 under par after a dazzling start Saturday.

Phil Mickelson is bidding for a fourth Green Jacket and sixth major title at the age of 48.

Rickie Fowler is arguably the "best player never to have win a major."

Molinari made his first visit to Augusta as caddie for his older brother Edoardo in 2006.

Day two —

Veteran Mickelson was playing his 100th round at the Masters Friday.

Play was suspended for a while because of the threat of thunderstorms in the Augusta area.

Italy's Francesco Molinari, the British Open champion, set the early pace and pushed the lead to seven under.

Left-hander Mickelson could become the oldest Masters champion -- he is only three shots off the lead.

First round co-leader Brooks Koepka struggled early on day two but rallied to share a five-way tie for the lead at seven under.

The weather warning came just as Tiger Woods was beginning his move up the leaderboard.

Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, pushed the lead to eight under before dropping back into the pack at seven under.

England's Justin Rose, runner-up two years ago, had a Masters to forget as he missed the cut.

The other first round co-leader Bryson DeChambeau went backwards Friday.

Woods hit a stunning tee shot to 12 before the siren went to suspend play because of thunderstorms.

England's Ian Poulter kept up his challenge for a maiden major title with another good round at Augusta.

World No.2 Dustin Johnson was in a group on six under alongside Woods at the halfway stage.

Day one —

Tiger Woods is chasing a fifth Masters title and first since 2005 at Augusta.

The 43-year-old won the last of his 14 majors in 2008 and is on the comeback from long-term back injury.

Following spine fusion surgery in 2017, Woods crowned a remarkable season last year with victory in the Tour Championship, his first for five years.

Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy needs the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam of all four major titles.

However, the 29-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a poor start on day one at Augusta.

Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got the 83rd Masters under way as ceremonial starters Thursday.

Rickie Fowler, runner-up in 2018, is still chasing a first major title.

America's Fowler finished behind countryman Patrick Reed last year.

World No.2 Dustin Johnson finished strongly to end four under par, two off the lead.

Former champion Jordan Spieth had a day to forget and ended three over.

Left-hander Bubba Watson is a two-time Masters champion.

Veteran Phil Mickelson, 48, is chasing a fourth Green Jacket.

Brooks Koepka pushed the lead to six under before being joined by Bryson DeChambeau.

The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament

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“I did think it would come,” the 43-year-old told CNN of his everlasting dreams of a 15th major.

His battle with Molinari at Carnoustie had given him that belief. He had also finished second behind Brooks Koepka at Bellerive in the 2018 PGA Championship.

READ: Tiger Woods: I don’t need to win the Masters, but I really want to’

“I knew it was in me, now did I know it was going to be this week? No. But I had a good feeling that the way I was shaping the golf ball that I was going to be in the mix,” Woods, who will now climb to No.6, added.

“Now being in the mix and winning a championship are two totally different things. The last two major championships, yeah I was in the mix, but I didn’t win.

“It all flipped at 12 you know when Franky made a mistake there. He just let everyone back in the tournament. And with six or seven guys with a chance to win the championship it got a little complicated but fortunately I was able to hit some of my best golf shots all week.”

Catching Nicklaus…

Sunday’s thrilling victory puts the former world No.1 just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus.

Only fellow American Nicklaus has won more Masters, with six. Woods also joins Nicklaus as the only player to have won the Masters in three different decades after he clinched his first as a 21-year-old in 1997.

“It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired,” Woods added in the Green Jacket ceremony in the Butler Cabin.

“Last year I was very lucky to be playing again. At the previous Champions Dinner I was really struggling and missed a couple of years of not playing this great tournament and now I’m the champion.”

“It’s been an epic Sunday here at the Masters and a great day for golf, just one of the most amazing days in our history,” said Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley.

Greatest ever?

Many wrote off Woods’ career as the injuries took their toll on his form, world ranking – he plunged to outside the top 1,000 in 2017 – and quality of life.

He admits he struggled with everyday tasks such as getting out of bed, driving and taking his kids to school, and is widely reported to have confided at the pre-Masters Champions Dinner a couple of years ago: “I’m done.”

But after seeing a specialist in England, Woods underwent fusion surgery, his fourth back procedure, in the US. However, if things looked bleak from a playing point of view, Woods looked to have hit rock bottom when he was arrested on a driving under the influence charge in May 2017. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was put on a diversion program, but from that nadir, Woods’ trajectory has reached sky high.

On doctor’s advice he made a tentative return to hitting golf balls at home in late August 2017, and returned to the circuit in 2018 with remarkable success,. He briefly led the Open at Carnoustie before finishing second to Koepka in the US PGA and winning the Tour Championship for his 80th PGA Tour title, just two behind the record of Sam Snead.

And now this.

“This will be up there with one of the hardest I’ve had to win because of what transpired over the last couple of years,” he added.

“it was just an amazing buzz out there, trying to figure out what was going on but to stay present and focused on what i was trying to do. I kind of liked it.”