It’s 4:45 a.m. on the west coast and I can barely sleep because I am so anxious … so excited. Tiger Woods is in Sunday’s final grouping at the Masters, chasing another green jacket in his comeback. With poor weather looming, all the players tee times were moved up to 7:30a/4:30a (pst), with Tiger teeing off at 9:20a /6:20a (pst). So, like the rest of you, I got coffee (thanks Coffee Bean cold brew), turned on my laptop to watch the featured groupings, turned on my TV for the broadcast, and got ready to (hopefully) witness history.
“The Return to Glory!”
-Jim Nantz after Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters
“Tiger Wood: Masters Champion!” Those words were last uttered in April 2005 after Tiger Woods won his fourth green jacket, in a thrilling fashion no less, and finally, after fourteen years, those words were shouted again. Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters tournament on Sunday, capturing his fifth green jacket, 81st PGA victory, and 16th major. After he made the putt on the 18th hole, Tiger immediately let out a roar that had been waiting to explode out for 14 long years, and went to hug his two children, and his mom. It was an emotional scene pulled right out of the “This Is Us” writers room. The CBS broadcast showed clips from Tiger’s 1997 Masters win, and Jim Nantz got emotional, maybe a little too emotional, but all in all, it was an amazing moment, one that I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life.
As I was researching this article, I noticed a lot has changed since Tiger’s last win at Augusta. It’s almost hard not to notice the difference because it seems like a lifetime ago.
To start, in 2005 I was 19 years old (almost 20, I’m a summer baby) and barely figuring out life. I’m 33 now, married, and a kid on the way (and barely figuring out life). In 2005, the number one song in the US was by 50 Cent and the number one movie in the US box office was Sahara! (Sahara! How many people even remember that movie, aside from me and Steve Zahn). You could purchase Amazon AND Google stock for under $150, though you might will get depressed when you see the current price.
As for Augusta, the course itself has changed a little bit. While most holes haven’t changed much, some have gotten longer, making Augusta even more challenging. Take a look at the distances from Tiger’s last Masters win in 2005 to the current version today. The course in all is playing 185 yards longer than it was in 2005, with the biggest difference (+40 yards) added onto Magnolia (#5) and Pampas (#7). Even the updates weren’t “Tiger proof”.
The biggest difference since Tiger’s last win in 2005 is actually… Tiger. He’s 43 years old now and has had multiple surgeries on his back, resulting in spinal fusion surgery. He essentially had to re-learn how to swing a golf club, but with the brain of Tiger Woods. It’s been a long process for Tiger, and a lot of people doubted him. His win at last year’s Tour Championship was amazing & emotional, but this was one for the ages.
Tiger’s Performance
Let’s relive Tiger’s epic Masters win, round by round. Below is the final leader board for the 2019 Masters, followed by Tigers performance. Feel feel to skip ahead at any time!
Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Stats
2019 Masters Final Leader Board
| Pos | Player | Total | Sun | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger Woods 🇺🇸 | -13 | -2 | 70 | 68 | 67 | 70 | 275 |
| T2 | D. Johnson 🇺🇸 | -12 | -4 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 68 | 276 |
| T2 | X. Schauffele 🇺🇸 | -12 | -4 | 73 | 65 | 70 | 68 | 276 |
| T2 | B. Koepka 🇺🇸 | -12 | -2 | 66 | 71 | 69 | 70 | 276 |
| T5 | J. Day 🇦🇺 | -11 | -5 | 70 | 67 | 73 | 67 | 277 |
| T5 | W. Simpson 🇺🇸 | -11 | -2 | 72 | 71 | 64 | 70 | 277 |
| T5 | F. Molinari 🇮🇹 | -11 | +2 | 70 | 67 | 66 | 74 | 277 |
| T5 | T. Finau 🇺🇸 | -11 | E | 71 | 70 | 64 | 72 | 277 |
| T9 | J. Rahm 🇪🇸 | -10 | -4 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 278 |
| T9 | P. Cantlay 🇺🇸 | -10 | -4 | 73 | 73 | 64 | 68 | 278 |
| T9 | R. Fowler 🇺🇸 | -10 | -3 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 69 | 278 |
| T12 | B. Watson 🇺🇸 | -8 | -3 | 72 | 72 | 67 | 69 | 280 |
| T12 | J. Thomas 🇺🇸 | -8 | -2 | 73 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 280 |
| T12 | M. Kuchar 🇺🇸 | -8 | E | 71 | 69 | 68 | 72 | 280 |
| T12 | J. Harding 🇿🇦 | -8 | E | 68 | 69 | 70 | 72 | 280 |
| T12 | I. Poulter  |
-8 | +1 | 68 | 71 | 68 | 73 | 280 |
Full leader board available at Masters.com
Round 1 Score: 70 (-2)
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 35 | 70 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 35 | 70 |
Tiger’s Round 1 Stats
Drive Dist: 293.5 yds
FIR: 9/14 (64.3%)
GIR: 11/18 (61.1%)
Putts/hole: 1.56
Birdies: 4
Bogeys: 2
| Round 1 Leaders |
|---|
| 1. DeChambeau (-6) |
| 2. Koepka (-6) |
| 3. Mickelson (-5) |
| T11. Woods (-2) |
Tiger looked pretty good in the first round, carding a 70, which was good enough for T11, four off the lead. The leaders after 18 holes were Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who both shot a 66 (-6). Tiger missed some opportunities, but he kept himself in the hunt after round one. After getting an early birdie, Tiger got a bogey on the fifth to put him back to even, but birdied the ninth to finish the first nine -1. Tiger would then birdie #13 and #14, but did not birdie #15. Tiger would then bogey 17 and keep himself at -2.
Hole of the Day: Hole 14
Round 2 Score: 68 (-4)
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 35 | 68 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 68 |
Tiger’s Round 2 Stats
Drive Dist: 296.5 yds
FIR: 7/14 – 50%
GIR: 16/18 – 89%
Putts/hole: 1.67
Birdies: 6
Bogeys: 2
| Round 2 Leaders |
|---|
| T1. Molinari (-7) |
| T1. Koepka (-7) |
| T1. Scott (-7) |
| T1. 2 More (-7) |
| T2. Woods (-6) |
Tiger looked really sharp in round two, carding a (-4) 68, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation. Tiger gave up a shot on #5 (for the 2nd straight day), and again on #8, which counteracted his three birdies on the front nine. Tiger cleaned it up on the back nine, shooting a 33 without a bogey, including the shot of the day on the 14th. Tiger was in the hunt again after two rounds at -6, one shot off the lead.
Hole of the Day: Hole 14 – 2nd Shot
Round 3 Score: 67 (-5)
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 67 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 67 |
Tiger’s Round 3 Stats
Drive Dist: 301 yds
FIR: 9/14 – 64%
GIR: 16/18 – 89%
Putts/hole: 1.78
Birdies: 6
Bogeys: 1
| Round 3 Leaders |
|---|
| 1. Molinari (-13) |
| T2. Finau (-11) |
| T2. Woods (-11) |
| 4. Koepka (-10) |
Tiger was on fire on moving day at the Masters, shooting his best score of the tournament. Tiger shot a 67, making 6 birdies and only giving up one shot. Tiger hit 16/18 greens for the second straight day, and drove the ball over 300 yards for the only time all tournament. Tiger again shot a 5 on #5, but then birdied 6 of the next 13 holes. A few others had very nice days on the course as well, putting the pressure on Tiger. After three rounds of golf, Tiger was -11, two shots behind the leader, Francesco Molinari.
Shot of the day: Hole 7 – 2nd Shot
Round 4 Score: 70 (-2)
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 35 | 70 |
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Tot |
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| R4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 70 |
Tiger’s Round 4 Stats
Drive Dist: 285 yds
FIR: 10/14 – 71%
GIR: 15/18 – 83%
Putts/hole: 1.67
Birdies: 6
Bogeys: 4
| Final Leaders |
|---|
| 1. Woods (-13) |
| T2. Johnson (-12) |
| T2. Schauffele (-12) |
| T2. Koepka (-12) |
Tiger was two shots behind to start the round, and after a nice birdie on #3, Tiger went bogey on back-to-back holes, and was -10 after six holes. Tiger then proceeded to birdie #7 and #8, getting to -12 and one shot back. The key here was Tiger did not bogey holes 11-18, and his counterparts did. While his counterparts went into the water on #12, Tiger birdied #13, and then made back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16, with his shot on 16 pretty much sealing it. Knowing he needed at least a 5, Tiger played it safe on 18, sinking the bogey putt to win the 2019 Masters.
Shot of the round: 16th Hole – 1st shot
Tiger Stats
| Tiger Stats | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Total |
| Drive Dist | 293.5 | 296.5 | 301 | 285 | 294 |
| FIR | 9/14 | 7/14 | 9/14 | 10/14 | 35/56 (63%) |
| GIR | 11/18 | 16/18 | 16/18 | 15/18 | 58/72 (81%) |
| Putts/Hole | 1.56 | 1.67 | 1.67 | 1.78 | 6.68 |
| Birdies | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 22 |
| Bogeys | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
Hole Averages
| Front 9 | Par | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tea Olive | 4 | E | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Pink Dogwood | 5 | -1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | Flowering Peach | 4 | -1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Flowering Crab Apple | 3 | E | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Magnolia | 4 | +4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Juniper | 3 | -2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | Pampas | 4 | -2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | Yellow Jasmine | 5 | -1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| 9 | Carolina Cherry | 4 | -2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| OUT | 36 | 34.8 | 35 | 35 | 34 | 35 | |
| Back Nine | Par | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | |
| 10 | Camelia | 4 | +1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 11 | White Dogwood | 4 | -1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 12 | Golden Bell | 3 | E | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 13 | Azalea | 5 | -3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 14 | Chinese Fir | 4 | -2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 15 | Firethorn | 5 | -3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 16 | Redbud | 3 | -2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 | Nandina | 4 | +1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 18 | Holly | 4 | +1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| IN | 36 | 34 | 35 | 33 | 33 | 35 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 68.8 | 70 | 68 | 67 | 70 | |
World Golf Ranking: Week 15
With this win at the Masters, Tiger moves into the top 10, one away from the top 5. A few more top 10 finishes for Tiger will put him over his buddies in no time.
Rankings are as of April 14, 2019
| This Wk |
Last Wk |
End 2018 |
Player |
| 1 ↑ | 2 | 3 | Dustin Johnson 🇺🇸 |
| 2 ↓ | 1 | 2 | Justin Rose |
| 3 ↑ | 4 | 1 | Brooks Koepka 🇺🇸 |
| 4 ↓ | 3 | 8 | Rory McIlroy  |
| 5 | 5 | 4 | Justin Thomas 🇺🇸 |
| 6 ↑ | 12 | 13 | Tiger Woods 🇺🇸 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | Francesco Molinari 🇮🇹 |
| 8 ↓ | 6 | 5 | Bryson DeChambeau 🇺🇸 |
| 9 ↑ | 10 | 10 | Xander Schauffele 🇺🇸 |
| 10 ↓ | 9 | 11 | Rickie Fowler 🇺🇸 |
FedEx Cup Standings
Tiger also moves into the top 15 for the FedEx cup standings as well. Tiger was able to compete in all the FedEx cup playoff events in 2018, so I fully expect him to stay within the top 10/15 all season long.
Stats through: Masters Tournament, Apr 14, 2019
| # | Player Name | Events | Pts | Wins | T10 |
| 1 | M. Kuchar | 12 | 1,730 | 2 | 5 |
| 2 | X. Schauffele | 11 | 1,558 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | R. McIlory | 9 | 1,457 | 1 | 7 |
| 4 | P. Casey | 12 | 1,261 | 1 | 4 |
| 5 | D. Johnson | 9 | 1,214 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 | B. Koepka | 9 | 1,112 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | G. Woodland | 14 | 1,102 | 0 | 6 |
| 8 | R. Fowler | 10 | 1,088 | 1 | 4 |
| 9 | C. Howell III | 14 | 1,086 | 1 | 4 |
| 10 | J. Thomas | 11 | 1,064 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | M. Leishman | 11 | 1,044 | 1 | 5 |
| 12 | F. Molinari | 7 | 909 | 1 | 3 |
| 13 | Tiger Woods | 6 | 888 | 1 | 3 |
| 14 | P. Mickelson | 10 | 886 | 1 | 2 |
Tiger Woods 2019 Schedule
Let’s take a look at the upcoming schedule for Tiger Woods. After winning the Masters, we can imagine he will take a week or two off as he prepares for the PGA Championship at Bethpage in NY.
- Apr 18-21 — RBC Heritage: Probably WON’T play
- Apr 25-28 — Zurich Classic: Probably WON’T play
- May 2-5 — Wells Fargo Championship: MIGHT play
- May 9-12 — AT&T Byron Nelson: Probably WON’T play
- May 16-19 — PGA Championship (Major): GAME ON!
- May 23-26 — Charles Schwabb Challenge: Doubtful
- May 30-Jun 2 — The Memorial: It’s possible
- Jun 6-9 — RBC Canadian Open: Doubtful, eh!
- Jun 13-16 — U.S. Open (Major): YOU EFFIN’ KNOW IT!
Bookmark this website for more Tiger Woods articles and golf news. Will he win another major this year? I’m not too sure. Will I root against every other golfer until he does? You know it!
Brandon Rosenthal is a blogger, podcast host/producer, and an avid golf fan and golfer. ⛳ You can view all of his posts and articles, and follow him here.
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