Tiger Woods returned to winning ways last night he willed his way to a sudden-death playoff win over Chris DiMarco and a fourth US Masters title.
All the talk ahead of the year's first major had centred around the so-called 'Fab Four' of Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. However, as the sun set over Augusta National, Woods had Singh's number one world ranking, Mickelson's green jacket and reached the turn on his career goal of bettering Jack Nicklaus's record 18 majors.
While Woods' performance lacked the crushing brilliance of his 12-stroke 1997 Masters victory, it may well have been his most tenacious as he overcame bogeys on his final two holes to claim his 43rd PGA Tour title.
It was certainly his most emotional and one of his most satisfying, after being written off as golf's dominant force while he struggled through a torturous swing overhaul.
As Woods slipped into his fourth green jacket he attempted to choke back tears but without success, dedicating the victory to his ill father, who has been the driving force, mentor and friend to his son throughout his career.
After the opening two days where his play and mood were as ugly as the stormy weather, Woods was heading for an early exit after slogging his way to a two-over 74 in his rain-hit first round.
By yesterday, Woods had rediscovered some of his Masters magic, laying the foundation for his ninth major win early in the morning when he completed his third round in style with a seven-under 65 that included a run of seven birdies.
After launching his final round with back-to-back birdies, Woods came back from five behind to lead by four in a span of 12 holes bridging the third and fourth rounds. But with a battling DiMarco having closed to within a stroke and nipping at his heels, Woods produced a memorable Masters moment, arching in a pressure-packed chip shot from the fringe of the 16th green for birdie.
"It was one of my more creative shots," said Woods, who joins Arnold Palmer with four Masters wins, second only to Nicklaus with six. "I've hit what I think are better golf shots but that was more of a creative shot.
"It was also luck, too, because you're just throwing the ball up on the hill somewhere, and hopefully it will be where you have a chance to make a putt for a par, and it just happened to go in."
With the type of performance not seen since 2000, when he held all four majors and ruled supreme over the sport, the 29-year-old American served notice he was ready to embark on a new reign after ending a barren run of 10 majors without a win.