The final applause was overwhelming. When his last ball entered the 18th hole of the Georgia course, people got up and began to applaud him loudly. He took off his cap, made a sign as if thanking the public for their unconditional support, shook hands with Spaniard Jon Rahm, his partner in the final round, and their caddies, and walked towards the Club House, which there was a big smile on his face and it was accompanied by shouts and greetings from everyone present. Thus ended Tiger Woods ’participation in the 2022 Augusta Masters, which, in sports, was the worst of his career. Why, then, the celebration of the fans and the happiness and joy of the former number one? Because for him, completing all four rounds was a huge and unexpected achievement until a few weeks ago.

“When I came to the tournament, I had the same doubts as everyone. But it was incredible,” said Woods, 47, after completing the last tour with 78 strokes (six over par) and closing. with a total of 301 (+13). )) to be very far from the top position.

“Playing in this tournament, with huge public support, is incredible. It wasn’t my best performance, but I have everyone’s support. I have good prospects for what’s to come,” he added. to return to the game after being very serious. he had a car accident. 14 months ago, where he almost lost his right foot.

Wearing black pants and a red shirt, his traditional uniform on Sunday, the 15 Majors winner and five -time Augusta champion (the latter, in 2019) added a birdie this Sunday (on hole 2), five bogeys and a double bogey (at par-4 17th) and closed with the same number of strokes as on Saturday (three birdies, five bogeys and two double bogeys). In the early days, he signed cards 71 ​​(-1) and 74 (+2) to cut.

This was the weakest performance in his 24 participation in the tournament. The predecessors were in 1995 (the year of his Georgia debut as a rookie) and 2012, when he finished with 293 hits, five over par. The numbers, both, went into the background.

For Woods, the most important thing was that he was able to play the tournament again at the highest level of world golf.

“Words can’t describe how I feel now or what I felt over a year ago. Having played here and completed four rounds, a month ago I didn’t know if I could do it … It’s all positive “, Tiger assured, excited.

In the field of magnolias and azaleas, where 25 years ago he won his first Grand Slam, he wrote a new chapter of stability in his life and became the protagonist of his most difficult and unexpected comeback.

Getting back into play after an accident on Feb. 23 last year, in which he suffered multiple fractures of the tibia and fibula of his right leg that was about to target him, is a bigger challenge than coming back after his ten back surgeries. and knees. and the various injuries that marked his career. But his competitive spirit and his love of golf are even stronger. And Woods rose from the ashes.

Before Augusta’s start, he made sure he felt his golf was at a great level — he showed it on Friday, in a first round where he delivered amazing shots and some magic — and he felt he could he will win the title. . He also warns that the biggest challenge will be to see if his leg can withstand the long walk on one of the most demanding courses on the PGA Tour.

The harsh weather conditions of the very windy Saturday put an end to his dreams of claiming he was champion, but they didn’t make Woods bitter. Although he again had a poor performance at the closing, which was on a famous day, he left happy.

“It’s very hard, I have days when I can’t do anything and my leg hurts, but I have a great team that supports me, a very positive team that motivates me and helps me on days that are very difficult, ” he said. “The hardest part is recovery, ice baths are painful, but they work. I can’t do it without all that help and all that support.”

The living golf legend offered a special thanks to his son Charliewho seemed destined to follow in his footsteps, his daughter Sam and his mother water, where he shared an emotional hug after the end of the round. And also to the fans who filled Augusta National and cheered and cheered him on in the four -day competition.

What’s next for Woods? “I’m not going to play the whole calendar anymore. I’m just going to big championships,” he said, as he did at the end of last year. “I don’t know if I’m going to play in the Southern Hills (NdR: That’s where the PGA Championshipsecond Major of the year, from May 19 to 22), but it is in Saint Andrews, as it is the home of golf and my favorite course in the world. I’ll be there “, he commented, confirming his participation in British Openfrom July 14 to 17.

“What I’m going to do from now until that tournament, I don’t know. I’m going to try, like I did last week, and we’ll see what this body can do,” Tiger said before saying goodbye. “I had very positive days in Augusta. I have to do some work and improve, but I’m ready to continue.”

The former number one was the great opponent of the weekend in Georgia. Not for kneeling to his rivals as he has done many times in the past. If not, why, contrary to forecasts and more than a year after the accident that nearly ended his career, he returned to playing, competing and having fun on a court. An unexpected return, but celebrated by the entire golf world.