Tiger Roars Back

Few professional athletes/public figures have fallen from grace the way Tiger Woods has over the last decade. Hell, his wasn't a fall in fact, but rather a meteoric crash.

People said, "It's over." "He's done." He had become the punchline of junks on late night TV. His comeback was sidetracked by injuries, and the once-dominant golfer was often irrelevant on the tour.

Well, at golf's cathedral that is Augusta National Golf Club, the old Tiger emerged from the darkness to claim history.

He carded five-under 67 in the third round, his lowest round at Augusta since 2011, and took to the course on Sunday to finish the job, donned in his signature red and black attire. Tiger roared back into relevance yesterday as he captured his fifth green jacket.

Twenty-two years after celebrating his first Masters title with his late father, Earl, it was fitting to see Tiger celebrate his accomplishment with his family in the same exuberance as he did more than two decades ago. At 43, Tiger became the second-oldest winner of the Masters, behind Jack Nicklaus, who won it at age 46 in 1986. 

Speaking of Jack, Tiger also captured his 15th major with yesterday's win, to edge one step closer to Nicklaus' record for victories in major tournaments at 18

In may have taken a decade or so, but the sport of golf is better when Tiger Woods is in the equation on Sundays.

Look out Jack, "Tiger" could once again be on the prowl for that majors record.

Tiger in Photos at the Maters (USA Today)