Tiger Woods is tied for second at Augusta, setting up an epic Sunday showdown.
Tigermania is finally back in 2019.
On the lowest scoring day in Masters history, golf’s 43-year-old GOAT was clutch enough to work through some putting inconsistencies and sink a seven-foot birdie at the par-3 16th hole to grab a share of the lead with Tony Finau and Francesco Molinari during Saturday’s third round of the Masters.
He finished tied for second, setting up a big time Sunday showdown for the Masters championship.
Tiger Woods walks off of No. 18 at Augusta National tied for second heading into Sunday. pic.twitter.com/j9qWETnlpx
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 13, 2019
The PGA is counting its blessings, ratings and the financial windfall that always follows a strong Tiger Woods showing. Through five tournaments this season, Woods is flexing the same steady progression that we witnessed in 2018. A competitive Tiger Woods is all golf fans really want to see.
Woods finished 17th in the Hero World Challenge in December and 20th in the Farmers Insurance Open. He improved to 15th in the Genesis Open and got his first Top 10 finish of the year on February 24th at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
“Tomorrow’s going to be an early wake-up call, get the body going and get the mind ready.”
Tiger Woods discusses how he will approach contending on Sunday at the Masters with our @Amanda_Balionis. pic.twitter.com/PsuTFwSbAS
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 13, 2019
It’s good to see Woods finishing in the Top 20 in every event, but there’s really only one golf tournament that people want to see him in and win. The Masters is the Rolls Royce of golf tournaments and Sunday’s finale is shaping up to be epic.
Woods won the Masters in 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2005. His first major came in 1997 when he shot a Masters Tournament record -18 under par over 72 holes. He won by 12 strokes. In 2001, he completed the “Tiger Slam” by winning his fourth major championship in a row.
In addition to everyone in the golf world, history is also on Woods’ side.
Tiger Woods is in the clubhouse at -11. Every time he's reached that mark through 3 rounds at Augusta, he's won the green jacket.
However, he currently trails Francesco Molinari. All of Woods' 14 career major wins have come with at least a share of the 54-hole lead. pic.twitter.com/ZYei3M6eNC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 13, 2019
It really doesn’t matter if Tiger wins or loses on Sunday. His golf life will never be better than it was in 2018. No, he didn’t win the Masters, finishing 32nd overall. But over the course of the season, he shocked the world, rose from the ashes of irrelevance and became a major threat in the game again. Tiger recaptured the support of the sports world with his redemption tour, which ended with a fitting victory at the Tour Championship. The dramatic win was Tiger’s first since 2013.
Any way you slice it, golf still needs Tiger. His presence boosts ratings. His legacy makes golf relevant to the casual fan, especially people of color. It seems that it was light years ago that Tiger was the poster child for falling from grace. The cheers of the crowd have become a familiar sound again.
A Tiger Woods roar at Amen Corner echoes through Augusta National. pic.twitter.com/uwp4mcU5Wm
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 13, 2019
Tomorrow will be much of the same.
With a chance to win his fifth major and put another stamp on his mythical career, Sunday’s Masters finale will revolve around tennis’ GOAT.
There’s nothing left for Tiger to prove. The motivation to compete with elite tennis players — some half his age — comes from within. Every competitive moment is another gold star on his grand resume. Even more amazing, is the fact that more than two decades after he began his unprecedented run of excellence, the world gets to watch the master of the links compete for another green jacket.
