AUGUSTA, Ga. - Tiger Woods is the Masters champion once again, turning back a surprising challenge Sunday with a shot of sheer magic and a birdie putt to win a playoff he never expected.
A spectacular finish of birdies and bogeys finally ended when Woods produced the most important shot of all - a 15-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole to capture his fourth green jacket and finally put away the gritty Chris DiMarco.
Woods knew it was over when the ball was a foot from the hole, taking two steps to the left as a smile creased his face and his right fist punched the air with fury.
Everything else about this Masters was up in the air to the very end.
First came the most improbable birdie on the par-3 16th, when Woods skipped his chip shot up the slope and watched it crawl 25 feet down to the cup, where it paused for 2 full seconds before dropping.
"I would rank that as one of the best ones I've ever hit," Woods said. "It turned things around. It was pretty huge."
Then came an even bigger surprise. The greatest closer in golf, who had never lost a third-round lead in a major, looked like a first-timer at Augusta National, making a mess out of the last two holes to finish with two bogeys and allow DiMarco one more chance.
Woods made sure that was all he got.
DiMarco came up short of the green, just as he had in regulation, and chipped up for a tap-in par. He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair, crouched and kept looking up at Woods and down at his feet, afraid to watch, perhaps knowing what was about to happen.
When the ball disappeared, DiMarco walked slowly over to Woods and congratulated him.
Woods closed with a 1-under 71 and won for the second time in a playoff at a major, wrapping up a long and bizarre week at Augusta National that included two rain delays, an eagle putt that Woods rolled off the green and into the creek, a record run of birdies to get back into the contention and, finally, the fight of his life.
It showed at the closing ceremony, where he cried while dedicating this Masters victory to his father, who was too ill to leave his hotel room.
"Every year that I've been lucky enough to win this tournament, my dad's been there to give me a big hug. And today, he wasn't there," Woods said, his voice cracking and his eyes filling with tears. "I can't wait to get home and see him (Earl Woods) , and give him a big bear hug." Full Story Here
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Now I am not a golf enthusiast of any kind. I just listen long enough to see what team has won a game or who has won in golf. In fact I do not keep up with any sports at all. I was flipping thru the tv channels and just happened to tune in just as Tiger sunk the ball that gave him the win. This was his 4th green jacket. I wonder if any of the guys actually wear that jacket. Would you even want to? I know you would wear it that day and to any news interviews you may have right after the win, but a month after where is the green jacket? Do you occasionally wear it out to dinner, maybe in summer as it is a bright green? Does it or do they just sit in the closet collecting dust? Maybe one is donated to some sports museum or hall of fame. Seems like if you have a multiple win the shades of greens should vary, so that if you did want to wear it with a nice pair of slacks, you could do so with out the loud, lime looking green announcing that you were wearing your masters jacket.
Just a thought. I could do something fashionwise with varied green jackets. Maybe women should be consulted for next years choice of jacket colors. (LOL!)
Tiger Woods Official Website
The Golf Widow
Golf Widow Cartoons
Golf Shoes Plus-lot's of shoes here!
Golf at Walt Disney World: Tiger has won 2 tournaments there in the past
Now that I think about it , I have been on the golf course...the miniature golf course, of course! I have played and won many a golf tournament with dirty Fila and other family members. This summer, I plan to go all the way to the top. We will be going to Walt Disney World and we will be entering our own family tournament at both Fantasia Gardens and Disney's Winter Summerland courses.
I guess, now I will have to wonder about what golf shoes I need to buy for the occasion. I must be on my best game. I hope to win my first green jacket!
What I do is kick them in the pants with a diamond buckled shoe!
~~Aileen Mehle~~
2 Broken Heels:
Hi Tinker,
I think Tiger Woods is a great golfer, I watch him once in the dark make a great show! Anyway I was surprised to see the article enjoyed reading it! Take care bye from Holly
he is great. he might be back on a winning streak again!
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