How Many Times Has Tiger Woods Won The Masters?
Tiger Woods first played The Masters in 1995, the year after winning the first of three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles. Tiger was the low amateur at Augusta National Golf Club that week, finishing 5-over par.
The following year, Woods missed the cut, the only time during his illustrious career (21 appearances) that he hasn’t played the weekend at the season’s first major. After turning pro in August 1996, Tiger has amassed one of the greatest careers in the history of the sport, including a phenomenal record at The Masters. Woods currently sits in second place on the all-time Masters wins list with five, one behind Jack Nicklaus. He’s also racked up nine additional top-10 finishes, seven of those in the top five.
Here’s a look back at Tiger Woods’ five wins at Augusta.
Tiger Woods makes history at The Masters in 1997
In his first trip to The Masters as a professional, Tiger Woods put on a record-breaking performance. Woods set numerous records at Augusta that week in 1997, including becoming the youngest winner in Masters history at age 21. Woods finished the four days at 18-under, a tournament record, 12 strokes ahead of runner-up Tom Kite, the highest margin of victory in tournament history.
Tiger actually struggled on the first day, shooting a 4-over 40 on his first nine holes. However, he bounced back on the back nine, improving by 10 strokes for a first-round 70, putting him three back of leader John Huston. A second-round 66 gave him a three-shot lead heading into the weekend. Paired with Colin Montgomerie in the third round, Woods shot a 7-under 65, pushing his lead to nine. Woods cruised to victory with a final-round 69, becoming the first non-white player to win The Masters. More than 44 million people tuned in to watch history.
Woods completes the ‘Tiger Slam’ in 2001
Tiger’s win at The Masters in 2001 was the culmination of the greatest year in golf history. After wins in 2000 at the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, Tiger Woods came to Augusta in 2001 with a chance to become the first man in history to hold all four professional majors at one time. Obviously, Woods succeeded.
Usually never off to a hot start at Augusta, Woods was five behind the lead after Round 1 with a 2-under 70. A second-round 66 brought him to within two of leader Chris DiMarco, tied with Phil Mickelson at 8-under. A third-round 68 gave him a one-shot lead over Mickelson heading into the final round. Tiger was two shots better than Phil that Sunday, finishing at 16-under for the tournament, two better than second-place finisher David Duval.
Tiger goes back-to-back in 2002
In 2002, Tiger Woods was looking to become just the third person in history to repeat at The Masters. Jack Nicklaus had won back-to-back titles in 1965 and 1966. Nick Faldo accomplished the rare feat in 1989 and 1990. Once again, Woods shot an opening-round 70 and was three shots back of Davis Love III. The second round was split between Friday and Saturday due to inclement weather and Woods fell behind by four after two rounds, trailing Vijay Singh.
However, Woods was dynamic in the third round, shooting up the leaderboard with a brilliant 66. Woods was tied with Retief Goosen heading to the final round and moved to 7-0 in major championships when holding at least a share of the lead on the final day. Woods shot a final-round 71 to clinch his second straight Masters victory.
The miracle chip in 2005 helps Woods win green jacket number four
With Jack Nicklaus playing The Masters for the final time, it was only fitting that Tiger Woods won at Augusta in 2005. However, Chris DiMarco certainly didn’t make it easy for him. With rain playing a major factor in the tournament for much of the week, Woods was seven back of DiMarco after a first-round 74. He fought back with a second-round 66 but was still six shots back heading into the third round. Woods had cut the lead to four midway through the third round when play was suspended.
That Sunday morning, with DiMarco struggling, Woods vaulted up the leaderboard and took a three-shot lead into the final 18. However, DiMarco wouldn’t quit and the two battled in one of the great finishes in Masters history. With a one-stroke lead with three holes to go, Tiger hit his tee shot at the par-3 16th just off the green to the left. What happened next was one of the greatest shots of his career. Playing the big slope, Woods miraculously chipped in to take a two-shot lead. However, bogeys on 17 and 18 forced a playoff. Tiger had one more big moment left in him and drained a 15-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to lock up green jacket number four.
Tiger completes the comeback at the 2019 Masters
Heading into The Masters in 2019, Tiger Woods hadn’t won a major in nearly 11 years. Back injuries had kept Woods from competing in The Masters in 2016 and 2017 and he didn’t have a great showing in 2018. However, Tiger was getting closer. He finished tied for sixth at the 2018 Open Championship and was the runner-up at the PGA Championship. He then won for the first time in five years at the Tour Championship. For the first time in a long time, Woods came to The Masters in 2019 with a real chance to win.
Tiger was four back of Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau following yet another first-round 70. A second-round 68 put him at 6-under for the week, just one shot off the lead held by five players. Woods cut the lead to two ahead of the final round, behind Francesco Molinari. A double-bogey from Molinari at the 12th on Sunday tied the two and Woods finally took the lead on his own with the birdie at the 15th. He took a two-shot lead after 17 and was able to bogey the 18th and still hold on for his fifth Masters title.
