The 2019 Masters started like most other editions of the tournament for me since I began my professional career. It always usually falls around tax day making it difficult for me to watch the entire coverage as I used to in my pre-work days. Thankfully, the Masters app and website make it much easier to stay in the know. With three screens cranking out work my phone acted as my window to Augusta.
Readers of this site know that I’m a big fan of Tiger Woods. I was optimistic that he would contend at the 2019 Masters but I didn’t see him winning it. He just didn’t seem all the way there with his game (shows what I know). Watching his first round on the feature group coverage, I saw him miss a lot of putts but still grind out a solid 70.
Friday’s round brought real hope as he caught fire on the second nine in a round that could have been even lower. He didn’t gain ground on Saturday with a 67 but stayed within reach to set up a thrilling Sunday.
I was in my office watching earlier than usual due to the weather and early on it looked like Francesco Molinari was not going to blink. Everything changed on the 12th hole where it seemed all of the contenders dunked tee shots into Rae’s Creek. Tiger’s always smart course management guided him to the middle of the green, away from the pin. What followed over the next few holes was incredible.
When Tiger got to the 15th tee, I determined work was going on the backburner for an hour or so even though it would keep me there later. I had feature group coverage and the broadcast going with alternating audio.
I never felt I was seeing the Tiger of old but the feeling of excitement for his play was definitely tinged with nostalgia. My heart was racing for his shot to 15 green and the tee shot at 16 that he nearly holed. Watching him make a bogey on 18 was almost too much for the stress coming from the tournament and a looming tax deadline.
Seeing the final putt drop made me think about his previous Masters wins. I immediately thought of 1997. The 2019 Masters win was not like that one of course but I thought of it because that was the first Masters I attended. I went with my Grampa. It was the first time for both of us, me at 12 and him at 71. I saw all my favorites, including eventual champ, Tiger Woods during that Tuesday practice round. That day will always be extremely special to me.
With the mock turtle necks back (not recommended for anyone not named Eldrick T. Woods), I thought of 2005 when he had the same two-shot lead after heroics on 16. I was glad in 2019 he was able to get it done in regulation. My bedtime came earlier with the earlier return to work!
The word that keeps coming up in my head for this win is joy. Watching Tiger let out a pure sense of joy at the win was something we never used to see and I like the change. The embraces with his family at the end were heartwarming to see. The number of players waiting to congratulate him was incredible and they looked like they were transported back to their youth.
Tiger has his share of haters and detractors. Those who will never let him live down his past. It is not required that they forgive him. I, however, chose to a long time ago. None of us are perfect. But from those transgressions, he has continued to be, what seems like, a caring father to children that he clearly adores. His win is a great story of redemption in relation to his golf. It doesn’t absolve him of the personal stuff, nor should it. But that’s really none of our business. He works through that struggle every day on his own.
I will always remember the 2019 Masters as one of the best tournaments I’ve ever witnessed. Nantz’s call of “a return to glory” was fitting. Well done Tiger.