Tiger Woods says he was trying to hold back tears and play like 'every weekend hacker' on the final hole of his first tournament win in 5 years

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September 24, 2018 4:57 PM

Tiger Woods just had to not mess up on the 18th hole to win his first tournament in five years. Woods said once he got out of the bunker and onto the green, he knew victory was his.

Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship on Sunday, his first win in five years and the 80th of his career.
As Woods approached the final hole with a lead, he said he played like "every weekend hacker," just trying his best not to mess up.
With a huge crowd following him from hole to hole, Woods said he had to try not to cry as he completed the win.

Tiger Woods completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports history on Sunday, winning the Tour Championship to capture his 80th PGA tournament and first win since 2013.

Woods has openly said there were points in recent years where he wondered if he could ever live pain-free again, never mind return to the golf course or win a tournament. Four back surgeries, lingering pain and injuries, plus a DUI from over-medicating, left many, including Woods, wondering whether his reign as golf's best player was over.

But over the course of 2018, Woods showed incremental progress, gaining steam as the year went on. After a few top-10 finishes and some promising moments at the majors, Woods put it all together at the Tour Championship, taking the lead on Saturday and never relinquishing it on Sunday.

After two bogeys on Holes 15 and 16 on Sunday, Woods' win was no sure thing. On 17, Woods hit it from the just off the green, getting a slow-roller back toward the hole. He then finished off a putt to get par and hold a two-shot lead.