Tiger Woods wins Masters, once again is Golf's biggest star

It was the first major title since 2008 for Woods, once golf's most dominant figure until a high-profile sex scandal, divorce and multiple injuries led to a very public fall from grace.

Tiger Woods won the Masters on Sunday, capturing his fifth green jacket and 15th major title -- his first in more than a decade -- in one of the most stunning turnarounds in sports history.

It was the first major title since 2008 for Woods, once golf’s most dominant figure until a high-profile sex scandal, divorce and multiple injuries led to a very public fall from grace. There were occasional doubts about whether he’d even continue to play professionally, let alone win another title at one of the most iconic events in world sports.

"It’s overwhelming because of what has transpired," Woods said. "It’s unreal for me to be experiencing this. I’m kind of at a loss for words really."

But he’s still a massive draw, with large galleries following his progress around the manicured fairways and greens of Augusta National Golf Club. He shot a round of 70 to end the tournament at 13-under par, one shot ahead of three players including Dustin Johnson.

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Nike released a short video within seconds of Woods holing his winning putt, showing various images of him over the years and with the message, "It’s crazy to think a 43-year-old who has experienced every high and every low, and has just won his 15th major, is chasing the same dream as a 3-year-old."

Woods, 43, turned pro in 1996 and almost immediately became the sport’s dominant player. He won 14 majors before his 33rd birthday, and had a seismic impact off the course, driving new interest in golf worldwide and huge television ratings in the U.S. He won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

Things fell apart starting in 2009, when news reports detailed extramarital affairs he was having with a number of different women. That began a 10-year stretch marred by a messy divorce, substance abuse and a litany of injuries.

There had been moments of Old Tiger -- he regained his No. 1 ranking in 2013 -- but his play was largely inconsistent. He missed most of 2017 following back surgery, and in May of that year was arrested for driving under the influence.

Along the way, sponsors came and went. A number of companies, such as AT&T, Accenture and Gillette dropped him after the infidelity scandal, and Nike, by far his most important corporate ally, recently announced it was getting out of the golf equipment business entirely. It still makes Woods’s clothing.