The world of sport has laid on the praise after Tiger Woods secured his first tournament victory for more than five years in Atlanta.
The 42-year-old has suffered problems both on and off the course since the win at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
But his two-shot victory at the Tour Championship – the 18th of his career – was labelled the “best story in sports”.
Tommy Fleetwood, who plays on the European Tour, said: “Everybody watching at home, everybody that was right there when it happened. We’ve just witnessed the greatest comeback of all time! What a time to be alive!!!”
Everybody watching at home, everybody that was right there when it happened. We’ve just witnessed the greatest comeback of all time! What a time to be alive!!! 🐯 🐐 — Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) September 23, 2018
Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 major championships in his career, said: “I am very happy for him and extremely proud of him. Tiger has worked very hard to get to this place, and has played very well all season.
“I never dreamed @TigerWoods could come back and swing the way he has, after surgery.
“I think you could argue he’s swinging better than he has ever in his life. He has played fantastically!”
I never dreamed @TigerWoods could come back and swing the way he has, after surgery. I think you could argue he’s swinging better than he has ever in his life. He has played fantastically! — Jack Nicklaus (@jacknicklaus) September 23, 2018
While Rory McIlroy said: “Massive congrats @JustinRose99 for winning the #FedExCup and of course @TigerWoods for winning #80 on @PGATOUR. So well deserved for both. Such a cool experience walking down the last hole with all that excitement! Onwards and upwards.”
Massive congrats @JustinRose99 for winning the #FedExCup and of course @TigerWoods for winning #80 on @PGATOUR. So well deserved for both. Such a cool experience walking down the last hole with all that excitement! Onwards and upwards. https://t.co/pnH5Wa5lyx — Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) September 23, 2018
Michelle Wie, winner of the 2014 US Open, reacted to the win, saying: “IM NOT CRYING. YOURE CRYING!!!!!”
IM NOT CRYING. YOURE CRYING!!!!! 🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯🐯 — Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) September 23, 2018
Outside of the world of golf, actor Rob Lowe said it was the “Best story in sports in years, BY FAR”, while former ice hockey player Teemu Selanne said: “Watching Tiger and all the golf fans in the 18th hole was something incredible, what a great American sport story! Everything that Tiger has been through these last couple years, so happy to see him win!”
Unreal. Best story in sports in years, BY FAR. He’s back and I love it. #Tiger — Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) September 23, 2018 Wow…Hat off👏🙏Watching Tiger and all the golf fans in the 18th hole was something incredible, what a great American sport story! Everything that Tiger has been through these last couple years, so happy to see him win!😊 — Teemu Selanne (@TeemuSel8nne) September 23, 2018
Commentator Gary Lineker said it was “surely one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history”, while former Leeds footballer Michael Bridges said Woods was a “true legend”.
Surely one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history. He’s back in the winners enclosure. Well played @TigerWoods. Incredible 👏👏👏 — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 23, 2018 What a true LegendSo many set backs but he always believed & worked so hard to prove people wrong. In the 1,874 days since Tiger Woods' last win: 239 PGA TOUR events held119 different players won on PGA TOUR44 official worldwide starts9 missed cuts4 back surgeries pic.twitter.com/6tXv4nL0Fi — Michael Bridges (@MickyBridges8) September 23, 2018
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